Vol. 200 No. 4
asked the Minister for Defence in respect of the current financial year and each of the last three previous years the amount provided by way of estimate for the purchase of horses for the Army jumping team, and the amount actually expended in those periods.
46.
asked the Minister for Defence if in view of the rising prices being paid for bloodstock he will consider favourably the question of increasing in the coming year's estimate the sum to be provided for the purchase of horses for the Army jumping team.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.
The amounts provided in the Vote for Defence in the financial years 1962/63, 1961/62, 1960/61 and 1959/ 60 for the purchase of horses for Óglaigh na hÉireann including the Army jumping team, and the amounts actually expended in those years, are as follows:—
|
Provision |
Expenditure |
|
|
1962-63 (to date) |
£7,000 |
£3,300 |
|
1961-62 |
£7,000 |
£5,075 |
|
1960-61 |
£7,000 |
£4,940 |
|
1959-60 |
£6,700 |
£6,604 |
The Book of Estimates for the financial year 1963/64, which will show the provision being sought for the purchase of horses by my Department during that year, will be available shortly.
47.
asked the Minister for Defence how the members of the Army jumping team are recruited; whether there is a minimum age; where they are trained; and what is the period of training.
Members of the Army jumping team are recruited through the medium of the annual competition for cadetships for an tArm, the minimum age for which is 17 years. A cadet on appointment to An Coláiste Míleata undergoes training for two years. Included in this course is a short elementary course in equitation.
Cadets showing outstanding promise as potential riders during this course of training and who volunteer for posting to An Scoil Eachaíochta at Dún Mhic Aoidh, Baile Átha Cliath are transferred thereto on being commissioned. There they undergo a basic riding course of three months' duration after which they do advanced riding for one year.
