Michael Creed
Ceist:35 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to initiate separate recruitment in view of the shortage of numbers in the Army bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23002/98]
Written Answers. - Army School of Music.
Pádraic McCormack
Ceist:57 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to initiate separate recruitment in view of the shortage of numbers in the Army bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17902/98]
Dan Neville
Ceist:81 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to initiate separate recruitment in view of the shortage of numbers in the Army bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17901/98]
David Stanton
Ceist:121 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to initiate separate recruitment in view of the shortage of numbers in the Army bands [17899/98]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:150 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to initiate separate recruitment in view of the shortage of numbers in the Army bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17904/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 57, 81, 121 and 150 together.
Recruitment to the Army School of Music is currently under review in the light of the new organisational structure for the Army introduced on 1 November last. The current strength of the Army School of Music is 140 with 15 members in the headquarters element and 125 playing members, including four conductors. Proposals for the recruitment of a limited number of instrumentalists were made recently and these are under consideration.