Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept the point the Minister makes to some extent. However, one must question the extent to which participation in the RDF has been promoted by the PDF. One must also ask whether those who were participating and who had signed up were encouraged to actively partake of the training courses on offer. Will the Minister provide an explanation as to the impact on serving members of his proposal to withdraw gratuities and redirect the money involved towards the provision of additional training? Substantial savings to the Exchequer have already been achieved. There would be manifest benefits to the Department, the PDF and society at large were we to encourage many of those under the age of 25 throughout the country who are unemployed to become actively involved in this form of important civil service.

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