Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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78. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which summer training courses continue to be available to members of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28046/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The primary function of training and education in the Permanent Defence Force, the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve is to develop and maintain capabilities necessary to enable personnel to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The scheduling of training in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve, is underpinned by an analysis of training needed to meet operational output requirements and capability development needs.

For the current year, Subhead A.5 provides for a budget of €2.15 million of which €2.068 million is allocated for a total of 26,000 Paid Training Mandays for members of the Reserve. Of this figure, 25,300 Mandays will provide a minimum of seven (7) days annual paid training for all effective members of the Reserve. This provision also allows for fourteen (14) days paid training for all personnel newly recruited to the Reserve Defence Force (in their first year of induction), and also provides for career and specialist courses for selected members of the Reserve in line with Reserve priorities. This provision is sufficient having regard to the existing strength of the Reserve and the voluntary nature of Reserve training. The remaining 700 Mandays are allocated to provide for Reserve Defence Force Representative Association (RDFRA) business.

While the minimum provision of paid training days is 7, members of the Reserve may avail of additional paid training days, up to a total of 28 days, in the context of career courses, specialist and other additional 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.