Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2024
137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Forces, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the extent to which their upgraded training has continued in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42356/24]
View answerThe Table below contains the strength for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and Reserve Defence Force (RDF) as of 31 August 2024, the latest date for which such figures are available:
|
|
RDF |
|
|
Army |
5,961 |
1,456 |
|
Naval Service |
745 |
97 |
|
Air Corps |
720 |
N/A |
|
Total |
7,426 |
1,553 |
The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. In that context, the Defence Forces have a long track record of developing personnel, by building on existing Professional Military Education Concepts and incorporating ‘best practice’ approaches to ensure an effective and progressive approach to the delivery of education and training needs.
The Defence Forces deliver military programmes and modules meeting national and international standards and engage with external educational institutions in order to facilitate organisational learning. This engagement with national and international educational institutions, military and civilian, aims to ensure that the Defence Forces retain currency with regards to best international practice and employ all relevant modern training methods.
The following table highlights the extent of training conducted by the Defence Forces (PDF and RDF) over the last 5 years:
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
|
Courses Conducted |
1654 |
1869 |
1630 |
1910 |
1104* |
|
Students trained |
21879 |
27857 |
19843 |
24658 |
15813* |
*As at 15 October, 2024
The scheduling of training in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve, is underpinned by an analysis of training required to meet operational output and capability development requirements.
