Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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47. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which annual training is made available to members of the Reserve Defence Force; the number participating; the number that have participated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38900/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence sets out a map for the RDF and that their primary role is to support the PDF in crisis situations. As such, the RDF undertakes training in preparation to assist the PDF when required. Training across the Defence Forces is constantly measured against best military and academic practice. Training procedures are constantly reviewed in order to ensure that the men and women of the Defence Forces are fully prepared to meet the challenges of the ever changing security environment.

With regard to RDF training for the current year, Subhead A.5 provides for a budget of €2.15 million of which €2.068 million is allocated for Paid Training Mandays for members of the Reserve. This allocation will provide seven days annual paid training for all effective members of the Reserve, fourteen days paid training for all additional personnel recruited to the Reserve in 2019 and provide 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 RDF and the voluntary nature of Reserve training.

As of 31 August 2019, the effective strength of the RDF is 1698.