Maeve O'Connell
Ceist:
228. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on the number of reserve training and support days completed in 2024; and the number of such days envisaged for 2025. [31703/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
It has not been possible to provide a response within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once a response is compiled.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.
I refer to the above-referenced Parliamentary Question and my original reply stating that it was not possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I am now in a position to do so.
28,762 Reserve Training and Support Days (RTSD’s) were undertaken in 2024.
No 2025 RTSD allocation has been calculated. In previous years, such calculations were based on an ‘average’ RTSD rate. In 2025, the Defence Forces proposed and Officials in my Department agreed that such calculations were no longer representative considering the increased uptake in RTSD’s in tandem with the increase in individuals across a number of ranks with differing pay scales undertaking the RTSD’s. The RTSD daily rate can vary significantly, for example a private3 * on the first point of the scale would receive €91 daily RTSD while a Lt Col on the same point of the scale would receive €228 daily RTSD. In that context and considering the increase in RTSD activity, any calculation using an ‘average’ RTSD rate is rendered redundant.
As such, the emphasis on calculating a 2025 RTSD allocation at the beginning of the year has been replaced with maximising the increased RDF budget of €3.5 million, and so providing for the higher levels of RTSD activity expected.
