asked the Minister for Defence if he will give a breakdown of the number of personnel who left the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in the period referred to in reply to parliamentary question No. 365 of 21 October 1980 as follows: (a) the number who died, (b) the number who transferred to the reserve, (c) the number discharged by purchase, (d) the number discharged after their initial engagement, (e) the number discharged after other engagements, (f) those who retired after 21 years' service and (g) the number who retired after maximum engagement.
Written Answers. - Defence Forces.
185.
As it has not been possible to compile the information requested in the time available, I will communicate with the Deputy in the matter as soon as possible.
186.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of proposals on military pay and allowances considered by him in the last ten years and the number accepted (a) in full and (b) modified in that period.
There would be a disproportionate expenditure of public time and money involved in compiling the information sought in the Deputy's Question and I do not consider that this would be justified. I should say, however, that the conditions of service of members of the Defence Forces are under constant and sympathetic consideration and that the revision of these conditions, as necessary, is a continuing process.
187.
asked the Minister for Defence how the system of grants to FCA units operates; if units are required to have a certain strength to get this grant if units not having this effective strength are disbanded; and if he considers that such methods are an effective way of using the funds available.
Defence Force regulations prescribe that specified units and sub-units of An Fóra Cosanta Aitiúil shall maintain unit funds out of which may be met certain expenses such as those for fuel, light, stationery, postage and other day-to-day costs arising from the operation of the unit or sub-unit. The unit fund is composed of grants from public funds and moneys transferred from the welfare fund of the unit concerned. Unit funds are regarded as the most effective way of meeting the purposes for which they are designed.
The position of units or sub-units which fall below a designated strength figure is examined each year in the context of determining the viability of the unit and the amount of the grant from public funds which should be paid into the unit fund concerned. Where the military authorities are satisfied that any such unit can continue to be effective, the grant from public funds is paid into that unit fund.
188.
asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended that all FCA officers will attend the course for officers which commenced on 9 August 1980; if he will give details of the course and any other courses planned; and if he will consider introducing a scheme of part-time evening courses for officers similar to the course undertaken by regular officers as this practice is followed in other professions.
The course referred to was a special course held at the Military College and designed to impart instruction in military tactics, law, communications, leadership, intelligence and so forth to 32 selected officers of An Fórsa Cosanta Aitiúil. It is intended to hold similar courses there annually.
Courses of similar content are also held at weekends throughout the commands for FCA officers who wish to take part.
It has not been found feasible, because of the part-time and voluntary nature of An Fórsa, to organise part-time evening courses successfully.
189.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will give further details in relation to his reply to parliamentary question No. 34 of 17 December 1980; the number of personnel who are (a) on Spike Island, (b) on ships, (c) in other military barracks, with details and locations, (d) living out and (e) others; if additional recruits required to bring the service up to its establishment strength of 1,106 should be recruited; if so, where they will be billeted; and the amount of spare accommodation available.
The number of Naval personnel accommodated (a) on Spike Island is 160, (b) on ships is 292, (c) in other military barracks 46. The number of such personnel who live outside official quarters is 236.
Recruiting is proceeding for the Naval Service. Adequate accommodation is available at present on Spike Island for any additional recruits.
190.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will give the following details in relation to the FCA: (a) the total effective strength on 30 June in each of the last five years; (b) the number who reported for annual training of (i) seven days or more and (ii) 14 days or more but less than a month; (c) the number on full time training in each of those years; (d) if details of the members on full time training were given in reply to other parliamentary questions; and (e) the number, if available, of members of the FCA who joined the PDF in each of the last five years.
The information sought in certain parts of the Deputy's question is not readily available and a considerable amount of work and time would be involved in obtaining that information. The available information is furnished hereunder:
(a) Total effective strength of the FCA on the dates shown.
|
Date |
Numbers |
|
30 June 1976 |
18,118 |
|
30 June 1977 |
18,362 |
|
30 June 1978 |
19,235 |
|
30 June 1979 |
19,508 |
|
30 June 1980 |
19,573 |
(b) Numbers in the FCA (other ranks only) who reported for annual training in the years shown.
|
Year |
7-14 days |
14-21 days |
21 days and over |
|
1976 |
7,308 |
698 |
756 |
|
1977 |
8,166 |
534 |
906 |
|
1978 |
7,505 |
549 |
1,208 |
|
1979 |
6,607 |
865 |
1,045 |
|
1980 |
Not available at present |
(c) Numbers in the FCA (other ranks only) on full time duty on the dates shown.
|
Date |
Numbers |
|
30 June 1976 |
338 |
|
30 June 1977 |
269 |
|
30 June 1978 |
275 |
|
30 June 1979 |
397 |
|
30 June 1980 |
305 |
191.
asked the Minister for Defence if FCA and Slua Mhuirí members receive all other allowances payable to PDF members with the exception of the military service allowance; and if he will clarify the following points: (a) how pay is calculated for members who are on duty and not training for (i) a day, (ii) a night and (iii) a weekend; (b) the incentives to encourage those who leave the PDF to join the first line reserve or FCA/SM, and the percentage of those who left the PDF and joined (i) the first line reserve and (ii) the FCA/SM; and (c) if members of the first line reserve train with the PDF or reserve units.
Provided they fulfil the necessary conditions for payment, members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí are, in general, eligible for all allowances (other than military service allowance) payable to members of the Permanent Defence Force, e.g. security duty allowance is payable to FCA personnel on full-time duty. Pay is calculated on the following basis for members on security duty for the periods indicated:
(i) A day
A day's pay (i.e. one-seventh of a week's pay) is issuable.
(ii) A night
A day's pay is issuable for any period of night duty which includes at least 6 hours between 6.00 p.m. and 8.00 a.m.
(iii) A week-end
A period of not less than 16 and not exceeding 72 hours from Friday to Monday is paid for as follows:
|
Period |
Pay Issuable |
|
Over 16 hours and not exceeding 30 hours |
One day's pay |
|
Over 30 hours and not exceeding 54 hours |
Two day's pay |
|
Over 54 hours and not exceeding 72 hours |
Three days' pay |
Personnel enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force since 1 September 1977 have a commitment to a period of three years' service in the First Line Reserve following their initial period of service in the Permanent Defence Force. Thus, where such personnel do not extend their initial period of service in the Permanent Defence Force, they are transferred to the First Line Reserve. Such personnel would be transferred to the First Line Reserve in the rank last held by them in the Permanent Defence Force and their service in that force would be reckonable for pay purposes. Special extended age limits apply to former members of the Permanent Defence Force who enlist in An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil or An Slua Muirí. In addition, a former member of the Permanent Defence Force who held the rank of sergeant or higher non-commissioned rank may be enlisted in An Fórsa Áitiúil or An Slua Muirí in the rank last held by him if a vacancy exists for an NCO of such rank.
In 1980, 6.84 per cent of those who left the Permanent Defence Force were transferred to the First Line Reserve. This represents the number of personnel who had a reserve commitment. Comparable figures are not readily available in regard to An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil or An Slua Muirí.
Members of the First Line Reserve normally undergo training with the unit of the Permanent Defence Force on whose strength they are borne. They may, however, be required to undergo training with any other unit of the Defence Forces.