asked the Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel attending third-level education courses in 1985-1986 and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Education Courses for Army.
6.
In the academic year 1984-85 149 military personnel attended full time third level educational courses. The corresponding figure for 1985-86 is 123.
In 1985 to-date 45 military personnel attended short duration courses at third level educational institutions.
A total of 81 military personnel were refunded fees in 1985 in respect of their attendance at third level educational courses in their own time in the 1984-85 academic year. Those attending such courses in 1985-86 will, where appropriate, be refunded fees in 1986.
Can the Minister give any reason for the drop in the numbers attending these courses in 1985 and could be indicate the institutions which these officers have been attending?
The drop in students attending full time third level educational courses is due to a changed system of sending cadets to university. In previous years cadets attended university immediately on being commissioned. This year the cadet class is being posted for military duties for 12 months and they will then attend university. For this year there will be a drop as that class is not going to university but they will go next year and thereafter the sequence will be the same.
Can the Minister confirm that a student who went in this year and is now going on military duties will get the same third level opportunities as his predecessor?
They will do a year's military duty first as it is felt that in the interests of their military career it is desirable that on commissioning they should go to a unit for a year rather than straight into university so as to maintain the military link. When they complete the year they will then go to university.