Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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128. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if online training has been carried out for members of the Civil Defence during 2020; his plans for such online training in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7577/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Covid 19 impacted on Civil Defence training provision during 2020. Most of the courses delivered in 2020 were provided through blended learning. For example a number of Local Authorities facilitated online learning for volunteers, and this training was supported and certified by the Civil Defence College. In addition, the development of new assessment methods, such as video based assessment, and scenario based assessment, allowed the Civil Defence College to certify Civil Defence Volunteers in certain disciplines. These methods facilitated volunteers in completing required assessments in their own time and within their Local Authority. Where volunteers were required to physically attend training, procedures were put in place to ensure effective social distancing and health and safety guidelines were followed.

Working with the Local Authorities, my Department will continue to examine options for online training with a view to enhancing online training provision in 2021.