asked the Minister for Defence if the number of Naval Service cadets being trained at present is sufficient to cater for the revised establishment needed to cope with the expanded duties of the Naval Service; if he will immediately increase the number of cadets being recruited and initiate an officers' course for NCO's; and if he will give details of the steps he proposes to take in the matter.
Written Answers. - Naval Cadet Recruitment.
26.
The overall officer establishment of the Naval Service is 137. The present officer strength is 88 and there are, in addition, 28 Naval Service cadets undergoing training at present. My Department will be conducting competitions again this year for the award of further cadetships in the executive branch and in the engineering branch of the Naval Service and the practice of recruiting suitably qualified direct-entry officers is also being continued. I am satisfied that this orderly programme of recruitment of cadets and officers is adequate to meet the expanding role of the Naval Service.
With regard to potential officer courses, the position is that non-commissioned officers of the Naval Service are eligible to participate in such courses which are held from time to time for personnel of the Defence Forces.