asked the Minister for Defence what steps he intends taking to see that the private soldier and NCO are given greater opportunities for promotion to commissioned ranks.
62.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Promotion.
61.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will take steps to set up schools under the jurisdiction of his Department which would enable private soldiers and NCOs, who are anxious for opportunities to lead to the highest ranks, to obtain the necessary educational standard which would qualify them to apply for acceptance as cadets to be trained for commissioned ranks.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62 together.
The question of the educational needs of non-commissioned officers and privates of the Permanent Defence Force is being examined, one of the objects being to create conditions whereby such personnel would have enhanced opportunities of attaining commissioned rank.
63.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state in respect of the period 1st January, 1960, to 31st December, 1968 (a) how many cadets received commissions in the regular Army, (b) how many NCOs in the regular Army were promoted to commissioned ranks via the cadet school, (c) how many private soldiers were promoted to commissioned ranks, (d) how many cadets were the sons of serving Army officers and retired Army officers, (e) how many cadets were the sons of unskilled workers and (f) how many cadets were the sons of trades-men in the craft sense.
The information requested at (a), (b) and (c) of the Deputy's question in respect of the Permanent Defence Force, including the Air Corps and the Naval Service, is as follows:—
(a) 295 cadets.
(b) 1 non-commissioned officer.
(c) 3 privates.
In addition 20 specially selected non-commissioned officers were appointed to commissioned rank during the period in question after they had completed a course of one year's duration in the Military College.
There are no records available in my Department which would enable me to furnish the information requested at (d), (e) and (f) of the Deputy's question.
Could the Minister say if the 20 he refers to have received any further promotion since they were commissioned?
They were commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants and they were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. I cannot give any further information. It is a separate question.
Is the Minister aware that many of them when they were commissioned were in fact receiving less pay than when they were senior NCOs? Does he consider that is a good way to encourage senior NCOs to look for places in the commissioned ranks?
I do not think it is a good idea at all to have to pay a man less when he is commissioned than he had as an NCO. I know there was a good deal of dissatisfaction with the scheme when it was put into operation. As far as I am concerned, I would not agree to a similar thing happening again.
Would the Minister not agree that these people, when commissioned and in view of their long experience, should get promotion in the normal way and not be treated as a kind of second-class officer as seems to be the case?
That is another question and the Deputy should raise it in another way. He could raise it on the Estimate.
It is a long time to wait.
It is not in this question. It is a matter of policy. It is a different matter entirely from what has been asked in this question. There could be grave objections to the suggestion the Deputy is making, not by myself but there could be, and it will have to be examined from every point of view.