Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Jun 1982

Vol. 336 No. 7

Written Answers. - FCA and Slua Muirí.

531.

Mr. Naughten

asked the Minister for Defence whether members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí will be able to undertake annual training in excess of 14 days in 1982; whether it is proposed to allow females to enlist in the FCA and An Slua Muirí by December 1983; the number of FCA and An Slua Muirí enlistments in 1959, 1969 and 1981; the number of FCA and An Slua Muiri personnel on the non effective list in 1959, 1969 and 1981; the number of voluntary discharges from the FCA and An Slua Muirí in 1959, 1969 and 1981; and the monthly enlistment figures to the FCA and An Slua Muirí for the period 1 April 1981 to 31 March, 1982.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Power)

The requested information is furnished hereunder: (a) The normal period of annual training is 14 days and this will be the case in 1982. (b) It will be appreciated that the role of women in the Defence Forces will be expanded and developed in an orderly manner in accordance with the military requirements. In this connection there is no requirement at present for the enlistment of women in the Reserve Defence Force nor is it anticipated that there will be by December 1983. (c) The number of FCA and Slua Muirí enlistments, members placed on the non-effective list, and voluntary discharges in 1959, 1969 and 1981 are as follows:

FCA	1959	1969	1981
Enlistments	6429	5398	5665
Placed on Non-Effective List	4269	4017	3245
Voluntary Discharges	1989	1613	1607
Slua Muirí	1959	1969	1981
Enlistments	160	105	103
Placed on Non-Effective List	71	67	99
Voluntary Discharges	58	25	70

(d) The monthly enlistment figures to the FCA and An Slua Muirí for the period 1 April 1981 to 31 March 1982 are as follows:

	FCA	Slua Muirí
1 April, 1981	807	6
May, 1981	550	19
June, 1981	567	6
July, 1981	142	—
Aug, 1981	53	—
Sept, 1981	251	4
Oct, 1981	517	12
Nov, 1981	524	12
31 Dec, 1981	305	3
1 Jan, 1982	193	5
Feb, 1982	614	8
31 Mar, 1982	632	14