asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans to encourage FCA recruitment and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - FCA Recruitment.
5.
Recruitment to the FCA to replace wastage is continuing and is regarded as satisfactory.
Could the Minister give an indication of the number of people recruited to the FCA so far in 1985, if there has been any increase in the total number of the FCA reserve over 1984 and if he has any plans to encourage and expand the numbers joining the FCA in 1986?
The strength of the FCA at 31 December 1984 was 15,834 men and at the end of October this year it was 15,215. Recruitment is ongoing and the strength goes up and down, some of it depending on the date on which one takes account. Recruiting will continue during 1986 to replace wastage which runs at a fairly high rate due to personnel going non effective. In most units there are sufficient vacancies for the applicants but there are occasional units where there might not be vacancies.
I agree that wastage seems to be abnormally high having regard to the fact that there are 600 fewer FCA men this year than there were last year. Can the Minister give an indication that the numbers will be restored at least to the figure we had at December last year or if he has any plans to recruit more people to the FCA in view of the large number of able bodied unemployed people available?
The figure is 600 less because the figure for this year related to October and the figure for last year related to the end of the year. Recruiting is a continuing process and it could be that by the end of the year the figures could be up on last year's figures. There is not a need for advertising for recruits. All the units have vacancies and it is well known in the areas in question that there are vacancies and that any young man who wants to join will be very welcome.
Does that mean that people wishing to join the FCA and meeting the necessary criteria can be guaranteed membership?
They cannot be guaranteed membership because some units may not have as high a rate of wastage and might not have vacancies when the recruit applies. These units would be the exception because by and large there are vacancies in most units.
So the opportunity is not available to all of those who desire to join?
If one wants to be very precise and literal that might be the case in some units, but I cannot be sure.