asked the Minister for Defence (a) the actual strength and (b) the establishment strength of each corps of the Defence Forces in respect of (i) officers and (ii) men, in each of the years 1970 to 1980, inclusive; (c) if FCA personnel are now included in the establishments of each corps since the reorganisation of the FCA; and if so, the percentage of FCA personnel in each corps.
Written Answers. - Defence Forces.
The appended statements give the information for the years 1970 to 1980 inclusive for the Permanent Defence Force.
As regards (c) since reorganisation, FCA personnel, with the exception of one unit, are not included in Permanent Defence Force units. The exception is an artillery unit, in which, for the time being, it is necessary to include FCA personnel. Details of the establishment and strength of the FCA were given to the Deputy on 29 April 1980.
Statement—(a)
Permanent Defence Force—Corps Strengths
31 Dec. 1969 |
31 Dec. 1970 |
31 Dec. 1971 |
31 Dec. 1972 |
31 Dec. 1973 |
31 Dec. 1974 |
|||||||
Officers |
O/Ranks |
Officers |
O/Ranks |
Officers |
O/Ranks |
Officers |
O/Ranks |
Officers |
O/Ranks |
Officers |
O/Ranks |
|
Staffs |
186 |
330 |
198 |
347 |
196 |
372 |
190 |
360 |
201 |
373 |
207 |
376 |
Infantry Corps |
182 |
1,294 |
226 |
1,968 |
242 |
2,078 |
248 |
2,996 |
267 |
3,246 |
319 |
3,997 |
Artillery Corps |
63 |
411 |
71 |
605 |
69 |
708 |
71 |
763 |
71 |
747 |
73 |
805 |
Cavalry Corps |
44 |
275 |
50 |
421 |
57 |
486 |
58 |
621 |
66 |
589 |
68 |
612 |
Engineer Corps |
61 |
360 |
60 |
352 |
60 |
359 |
61 |
459 |
51 |
425 |
58 |
443 |
Signal Corps |
43 |
203 |
52 |
291 |
49 |
299 |
52 |
407 |
53 |
376 |
58 |
409 |
Ordnance Corps |
44 |
275 |
52 |
299 |
49 |
302 |
50 |
322 |
49 |
294 |
52 |
320 |
Supply and Transport Corps |
59 |
398 |
63 |
454 |
63 |
475 |
63 |
593 |
62 |
526 |
70 |
593 |
Medical Corps |
45 |
239 |
46 |
248 |
47 |
266 |
44 |
309 |
47 |
294 |
46 |
284 |
Military Police Corps |
19 |
317 |
20 |
330 |
20 |
308 |
29 |
346 |
28 |
394 |
29 |
419 |
Air Corps |
76 |
422 |
72 |
400 |
69 |
398 |
65 |
465 |
67 |
473 |
70 |
562 |
Naval Service |
32 |
439 |
36 |
283 |
36 |
355 |
42 |
356 |
42 |
350 |
47 |
384 |
Observer Corps |
10 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
8 |
11 |
7 |
10 |
7 |
11 |
Special Establishments |
110 |
1,148 |
126 |
999 |
117 |
1,108 |
125 |
1,218 |
126 |
1,158 |
130 |
1,153 |
Women's Service Corps |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Staffs |
215 |
397 |
213 |
420 |
214 |
390 |
210 |
379 |
227 |
389 |
226 |
391 |
Infantry Corps |
120 |
5,253 |
413 |
5,525 |
421 |
5,360 |
394 |
4,648 |
378 |
4,472 |
364 |
4,505 |
Artillery Corps |
81 |
990 |
88 |
997 |
89 |
885 |
88 |
807 |
84 |
712 |
85 |
724 |
Cavalry Corps |
68 |
753 |
72 |
812 |
71 |
717 |
63 |
593 |
60 |
617 |
60 |
612 |
Engineer Corps |
58 |
504 |
63 |
589 |
67 |
599 |
67 |
486 |
70 |
491 |
69 |
494 |
Signal Corps |
60 |
487 |
59 |
515 |
61 |
543 |
57 |
491 |
63 |
459 |
62 |
460 |
Ordnance Corps |
60 |
364 |
61 |
404 |
63 |
442 |
58 |
409 |
61 |
367 |
64 |
353 |
Supply and Transport Corps |
77 |
689 |
80 |
691 |
91 |
700 |
83 |
605 |
85 |
603 |
81 |
597 |
Medical Corps |
48 |
325 |
46 |
382 |
49 |
377 |
51 |
350 |
48 |
336 |
50 |
326 |
Military Police Corps |
29 |
454 |
31 |
486 |
36 |
520 |
35 |
471 |
38 |
453 |
37 |
452 |
Air Corps |
73 |
581 |
80 |
636 |
69 |
618 |
86 |
604 |
91 |
589 |
88 |
562 |
Naval Service |
53 |
453 |
59 |
484 |
60 |
569 |
68 |
587 |
71 |
609 |
72 |
682 |
Observer Corps |
8 |
10 |
6 |
13 |
6 |
13 |
5 |
12 |
4 |
14 |
4 |
12 |
Special Establishments |
128 |
1,170 |
120 |
1,182 |
135 |
1,467 |
140 |
1,083 |
140 |
1,072 |
140 |
1,051 |
Women's Service Corps |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Statement—(b)
Permanent Defence Force—Corps Establishments.
31 Dec. 1969 |
31 Dec. 1970 |
31 Dec. 1971 |
31 Dec. 1972 |
31 Dec. 1973 |
31 Dec. 1974 |
|||||||
Officers |
O/Ranks |
Officers |
O/Ranks |
Officers |
O/Ranks |
Officers |
O/Ranks |
Officers |
O/Ranks |
Officers |
O/Ranks |
|
Staff Establishments |
229 |
473 |
232 |
473 |
232 |
473 |
234 |
487 |
234 |
487 |
239 |
487 |
Infantry Corps |
282 |
4,000 |
282 |
4,000 |
282 |
4,000 |
287 |
4,087 |
328 |
4,961 |
351 |
4,943 |
Artillery Corps |
89 |
878 |
89 |
878 |
89 |
878 |
89 |
878 |
89 |
878 |
89 |
878 |
Cavalry Corps |
68 |
619 |
68 |
619 |
68 |
619 |
68 |
619 |
71 |
676 |
71 |
676 |
Engineer Corps |
74 |
572 |
74 |
572 |
74 |
572 |
74 |
572 |
74 |
572 |
74 |
572 |
Signal Corps |
58 |
471 |
58 |
471 |
58 |
471 |
63 |
550 |
63 |
550 |
63 |
568 |
Ordnance Corps |
60 |
557 |
62 |
574 |
62 |
574 |
62 |
574 |
55 |
581 |
64 |
592 |
Supply and Transport Corps |
78 |
702 |
78 |
702 |
78 |
702 |
78 |
702 |
78 |
714 |
78 |
765 |
Medical Corps |
98 |
469 |
98 |
468 |
98 |
468 |
98 |
468 |
98 |
468 |
100 |
503 |
Military Police Corps |
33 |
434 |
33 |
434 |
33 |
434 |
51 |
613 |
51 |
613 |
51 |
613 |
Air Corps |
101 |
729 |
101 |
724 |
101 |
724 |
99 |
719 |
97 |
721 |
107 |
756 |
Naval Service |
45 |
486 |
45 |
486 |
45 |
486 |
59 |
380 |
55 |
380 |
56 |
444 |
Observer Corps |
16 |
47 |
16 |
47 |
16 |
47 |
16 |
47 |
16 |
47 |
16 |
47 |
Special Establishments |
141 |
1,145 |
145 |
1,149 |
145 |
1,149 |
145 |
1,150 |
143 |
1,152 |
146 |
1,180 |
Women's Service Corps |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Staff Establishments |
244 |
496 |
246 |
499 |
251 |
470 |
251 |
467 |
277 |
513 |
253 |
430 |
Infantry Corps |
356 |
5,069 |
386 |
5,691 |
411 |
6,178 |
406 |
6,067 |
411 |
6,083 |
411 |
6,083 |
Artillery Corps |
89 |
878 |
89 |
878 |
95 |
951 |
95 |
951 |
102 |
970 |
102 |
964 |
Cavalry Corps |
79 |
680 |
71 |
680 |
71 |
680 |
71 |
679 |
71 |
679 |
71 |
672 |
Engineer Corps |
74 |
572 |
75 |
612 |
76 |
657 |
76 |
657 |
82 |
662 |
82 |
660 |
Signal Corps |
63 |
568 |
63 |
568 |
69 |
641 |
70 |
636 |
70 |
636 |
70 |
618 |
Ordnance Corps |
64 |
592 |
64 |
664 |
64 |
669 |
64 |
669 |
68 |
679 |
68 |
673 |
Supply and Transport Corps |
78 |
761 |
78 |
757 |
86 |
830 |
86 |
830 |
86 |
834 |
86 |
788 |
Medical Corps |
98 |
500 |
98 |
500 |
98 |
497 |
98 |
497 |
98 |
497 |
98 |
495 |
Military Police Corps |
51 |
613 |
46 |
566 |
52 |
795 |
52 |
795 |
52 |
795 |
52 |
787 |
Air Corps |
110 |
759 |
110 |
759 |
110 |
759 |
110 |
759 |
110 |
759 |
168 |
987 |
Naval Service |
58 |
446 |
70 |
536 |
75 |
561 |
100 |
700 |
107 |
759 |
136 |
961 |
Observer Corps |
16 |
47 |
16 |
47 |
16 |
47 |
16 |
47 |
16 |
47 |
13 |
37 |
Special Establishments |
146 |
1,180 |
144 |
1,180 |
144 |
1,180 |
144 |
1,196 |
150 |
1,249 |
142 |
1,226 |
Women's Service Corps |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
338.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state in relation to the Air Corps the total hours flown by each of the Air Corps King Air and HS 125's (including those leased) from the date acquired to date, stating the date acquired; and if he will give details of (i) search and rescue missions, (ii) fishery surveillance patrols, (iii) transport of Government officials, (iv) training and conversion flying and (v) other military operations and also details of aircraft demonstrated to the Air Corps by manufacturers, agents, or others, in each of the years 1975 to date, with details of the type of aircraft demonstrated, the date and the location.
The information sought is as follows:
1. Aircraft |
Date Acquired |
Total hours flown |
King Air No. 232 |
10.3.1977 |
1550 |
King Air No. 234 |
24.8.1978 |
852 |
King Air No. 240 |
7.5.1980 |
23 |
Hawker Siddeley 125 No. 236 |
1.6.1979 |
223 |
Hawker Siddeley 125 No. 239 |
6.12.1979 |
31 |
Hawker Siddeley 125 No. 238 |
7.2.1980 |
147 |
2. Breakdown of operations |
|
(i) Search and Rescue missions |
100 hours |
(ii) Fishery surveillance patrols |
1563 hours |
(iii) Transport of government officials |
410 hours |
(iv) Training and conversion flying |
419 hours |
(v) Other military operations |
334 hours |
It was not possible in the time available to provide a more detailed breakdown. The data requested in relation to the demonstrations is not readily available. I will communicate with the Deputy on these two matters.
339.
asked the Minister for Defence (a) the number of apprentices recruited under the Defence Forces Apprentice Scheme in each of the years 1970 to 1979 inclusive, with the number who were transferred to the scheme from other branches of the Defence Forces, (b) the number of apprentices in training on 31 December of each year, with a breakdown by trade, (c) the number of applicants and apprenticeships by trades, with the number of applicants from the other branches of the Defence Forces, (d) the number of apprentices who completed their apprenticeships in each year, their trades, and the numbers assigned to the Army, Air Corps, and Naval Service.
The information requested is as follows:
(a) the number of apprentices enlisted under the Defence Forces Apprentice Scheme from 1970 to 1979 inclusive—
Army Apprentice School (AAS) |
Air Corps |
|
1970 |
49 |
31 |
1971 |
67 |
37 |
1972 |
56 |
45 |
1973 |
54 |
33 |
1974 |
60 |
46 |
1975 |
59 |
46 |
1976 |
62 |
36 |
1977 |
61 |
36 |
1978 |
64 |
56 |
1979 |
62 |
32 |
No army personnel, other than those who may have been awarded apprenticeships from the open competitions, were transferred to the Army or Air Corps Apprentice Schools as apprentices.
(b) Number of apprentices in training on 31 December of each year 1970 to 1979 inclusive—
Year |
AAS |
Air Corps |
1970 |
151 |
60 |
1971 |
156 |
68 |
1972 |
160 |
81 |
1973 |
156 |
75 |
1974 |
153 |
74 |
1975 |
161 |
89 |
1976 |
165 |
79 |
1977 |
172 |
68 |
1978 |
173 |
91 |
1979 |
177 |
123 |
It would not be possible, in the time available, to ascertain the breakdown, by trade, of apprentices serving on 31 December of each of the years mentioned.
(c) Number of applicants
Year |
AAS |
Air Corps |
1970 |
162 |
129 |
1971 |
167 |
140 |
1972 |
163 |
148 |
1973 |
237 |
134 |
1974 |
298 |
181 |
1975 |
614 |
518 |
1976 |
1,463 |
1,121 |
1977 |
1,807 |
2,060 |
1978 |
1,637 |
1,971 |
1979 |
1,356 |
1,811 |
Number of Apprenticeships Offered (by trade)
Year |
Air Corps Mechanics |
Motor Mechanics |
Fitters |
Electricians |
Carpenters |
Radio Mechanics |
Total |
1970 |
46 |
14 |
25 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
115 |
1971 |
46 |
14 |
14 |
7 |
10 |
10 |
101 |
1972 |
53 |
14 |
14 |
7 |
10 |
10 |
108 |
1973 |
47 |
16 |
12 |
7 |
10 |
10 |
102 |
1974 |
45 |
16 |
12 |
7 |
10 |
15 |
105 |
1975 |
45 |
16 |
12 |
7 |
10 |
15 |
105 |
1976 |
36 |
14 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
15 |
98 |
1977 |
36 |
14 |
12 |
14 |
7 |
14 |
97 |
1978 |
55 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
11 |
15 |
119 |
1979 |
44 |
14 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
15 |
106 |
Records are not kept of the number of Defence Force personnel who participate in the competitions for the award of Army, Air Corps apprenticeships.
(d) Numbers of Army and Air Corps apprentices (by trade), who completed their apprenticeships in each year and were assigned to Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.
Year |
Air Corps Mechanics |
Motor Mechanics |
Fitters |
Electricians |
Carpenters |
Radio Mechanics |
Total |
1970 |
37 |
16 |
14 |
12 |
10 |
— |
89 |
1971 |
34 |
13 |
14 |
8 |
10 |
11 |
90 |
1972 |
40 |
14 |
12 |
7 |
10 |
4 |
87 |
1973 |
20 |
13 |
14 |
11 |
8 |
5 |
71 |
1974 |
34 |
14 |
12 |
9 |
8 |
3 |
80 |
1975 |
27 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
71 |
1976 |
35 |
13 |
12 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
82 |
1977 |
39 |
15 |
10 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
86 |
1978 |
33 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
7 |
14 |
85 |
1979 |
44 |
10 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
88 |
Year |
Army |
Air Corps |
Naval Service |
1970 |
49 |
37 |
3 |
1971 |
49 |
34 |
7 |
1972 |
44 |
40 |
3 |
1973 |
51 |
20 |
Nil |
1974 |
36 |
34 |
10 |
1975 |
41 |
27 |
3 |
1976 |
32 |
39 |
11 |
1977 |
37 |
40 |
9 |
1978 |
39 |
33 |
13 |
1979 |
32 |
46 |
10 |
340.
asked the Minister for Defence (a) the number of Army cadets commissioned each year from 1970 to 1979 inclusive, (b) the number of Army cadets in training on 31 December of each year, (c) the numbers of Army personnel who qualified for third level insitutions under the university scheme, each year, with details of the degrees taken, (d) the numbers of PDF personnel who were studying at third level institutions on 31 December of each year, (e) the number of degree holders such as doctors, engineers, architects etc, in the Army on 31 December of each year, with a breakdown by profession.
(a) The number of Army cadets commissioned from 1970 to 1979.
1970 |
31 |
1971 |
26 |
1972 |
29 |
1973 |
78 |
1974 |
100 |
1975 |
92 |
1976 |
70 |
1977 |
67 |
1978 |
41 |
1979 |
29 |
(b) The number of Army cadets in training on the 31st December of each year 1970-1979
1970 |
55 |
1971 |
65 |
1972 |
116 |
1973 |
185 |
1974 |
141 |
1975 |
128 |
1976 |
127 |
1977 |
90 |
1978 |
62 |
1979 |
75 |
(c)
Year |
Numbers who were awarded degrees in:— |
|||
Arts |
Commerce |
Engineering |
Science |
|
1972 |
7 |
2 |
— |
2 |
1973 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
1974 |
12 |
10 |
— |
2 |
1975 |
17 |
6 |
— |
3 |
1976 |
14 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
1977 |
21 |
6 |
1 |
5 |
1978 |
14 |
7 |
4 |
9 |
1979 |
20 |
6 |
5 |
10 |
(d)
Year |
Number of Army Personnel attending Third Level Institutions under the University Scheme. |
|
31 December |
1970 |
29 |
1971 |
54 |
|
1972 |
85 |
|
1973 |
89 |
|
1974 |
110 |
|
1975 |
107 |
|
1976 |
128 |
|
1977 |
124 |
|
1978 |
115 |
|
1979 |
69 |
(e) The number of "professional" officers in the Defence Forces at present is shown hereunder. It would not be possible, without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of official time, to provide similar details for the years 1970 to 1979.
Profession |
Numbers |
Doctors |
36 |
Engineers |
|
(including Architects) |
79 |
Scientists (B.Sc) |
46 |
Dentists |
7 |
Pharmacists |
4 |
Barristers (or Solicitors) |
10 |
341.
asked the Minister for Defence (a) the amount of training which is required before FCA officers are commissioned, and if such training is part-time or full-time, if he will outline fully the position; (b) if such officers attend the military college; and, if not why; (c) if FCA officers are considered equal to PDF officers of the same rank, or senior PDF officers of a lower rank; and if he will clarify the position.
(a) Defence Force Regulations provide that, apart from a person who is in possession of a university degree, diploma or other special qualification, only non-commissioned officers of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil shall be eligible to be appointed to be officers in An Fórsa. Such non-commissioned officers are required to complete successfully a potential officers' course prior to being recommended for appointment as officers. This course consists of a continuous period of training of 14 days as well as periods of training of short duration amounting to a total of 48 hours.
(b) it is intended to commence courses of instruction for officers of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil at the Military College in August next.
(c) The Defence Acts and Defence Force Regulations have separate provisions governing officers of the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force. An officer in one class of the Defence Forces cannot readily be compared, therefore, to an officer in the other class.
342.
asked the Minister for Defence (a) if there was a proposal to fit a 90mm gun and turret to the Comet tanks in 1974; if he will give details; (b) if any of these vehicles are operational, if they are in storage, have been scrapped and their present condition; and (c) how and when they will be disposed of.
(a) There was no proposal in 1974 to fit a 90mm gun and turret to these tanks.
(b) None of these tanks is operational. As stated in my reply to the Deputy's question on 26 March 1980, these tanks are obsolete and unserviceable and cannot be economically repaired.
(c) These vehicles are being disposed of in accordance with Defence Force Regulations regarding obsolete stores. As they are items of defensive equipment, it is likely that they will be scrapped and the produce sold. One tank will, however, be retained for military museum purposes.