Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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8. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of staff involved in training new recruits; the whole-time equivalent of those involved in training new recruits; the rank of those involved; if those involved in training are included in establishment figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40803/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The primary function of training and education in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable it to fulfil the roles laid down by Government.

New recruits complete a 15 week course to qualify as Two Star Privates. They then proceed immediately onto a 10 week Two Star to Three Star course. Once this training has been completed, they are deemed fully trained.

Personnel involved in training are included in the agreed establishment figure of 9,500. The number of personnel involved in such training will vary, depending on the number of recruits being trained at any one time.

Currently there are 136 recruits in training, split among 4 platoons. Typically, the personnel required, for training purposes, for each recruit platoon includes the following ranks: -

- 1 x Lieutenant

- 1 x Sergeant

- 8 to 10 Corporals (depending on the size of the platoon)

- There will also be assistance and supervision of the training conducted by Commandant (Comdt), Captain (Capt), Company Sergeant (CS), Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS) and Private 3 Star (Pte 3*) although not on a full time basis.