asked the Minister for Defence the numbers and the cost of administration of the Civil Defence; if he will upadate the training and other aspects of the service, including information booklets; and if he will refer specifically to the auxiliary fire service in indicating how frequently this service has been used in recent years.
Written Answers. - Civil Defence.
29.
Limerick West): The administrative staff of the Civil Defence Branch of the Department of Defence comprises 16 people and their total cost in wages is approximately £230,000 per annum. Civil Defence is continually under review in all its aspects, including training, and it has been specifically included in the major defence review which I announced in August 1987.
The peacetime use of the auxiliary fire service, and of the other Civil Defence services, is a matter for individual city or county managers to determine in accordance with the needs of their local authorities. The auxiliary fire service has been frequently used in a variety of roles, including fire-fighting, in recent years.