Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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206. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which annual training courses remain available to the FCA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34021/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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207. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which updated military training remains available to the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34022/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together.

The White Paper on Defence 2015 provides that the overall establishment of the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) is set at 4,169 personnel, consisting of 3,869 Army Reservists and the expansion of the four Naval Service Reserve Units from 200 to 300 personnel. The White Paper also outlined that the primary role of the Reserve is to augment the PDF in crisis situations. In non-crisis situations, the main focus is on training to prepare for this role.

A key recommendation of the Value for Money Review of the RDF, published in November 2012, was to ensure that all effective members of the Reserve were afforded the opportunity to undertake voluntary annual training. In 2016, Subhead A.5 provides for a budget of €2.150m. of which €2.068m is allocated to paid training. This allocation provides for 30,000 Paid Training Mandays for members of the Reserve. This provision is sufficient having regard to the existing strength of the Reserve and the voluntary nature of Reserve training.

In order to facilitate the voluntary nature of Reserve Service, training continues to be organised both in and out of normal working hours and at weekends. Reserve training is also organised during academic and traditional holiday periods, in order to maximise attendance of Reserve personnel.

In the Army Reserve, recruits undergo varied training in areas such as combat first aid, military law and tactical training. A major part of Recruit training is training in the Steyr 5.56mm Assault Rifle. After recruit training is complete, soldiers are then trained in the operation of basic radio communications, map reading, Nuclear, Biological & Chemical warfare defence and the Light Machine Gun. Each Corps also carries out specialist training in its particular field. For example, the Infantry and Cavalry Corps trainin weapons and tactics and the Corps of Engineers train in engineering tasks, such as demolition, construction and mine warfare.

In the Naval Service Reserve, the two main courses undertaken as a recruit are Sea Survival and Damage Control & Fire Fighting. NSR personnel also undergo training in the operation of various crafts operated by the Naval Service, such as Motor Training Launches and Rigid Inflatable Boats. As in the Army Reserve, NSR personnel are trained in the use of the Steyr 5.56mm Assault Rifle. NSR personnel also receive full training in VHF Radios, including voice procedure at sea and operation of the VHF systems. Courses are also run for NSR personnel on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.

I am satisfied that the extensive and professional training provided to the RDF along with other initiatives outlined in the White Paper will be a key motivating factor in encouraging more people to join the RDF as well as making it more attractive for current members to stay.