Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Oct 1987

Vol. 374 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil.

6.

Mr. Bell

asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel by officer, NCOs and men in An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil who received the full rate of gratuity in respect of the years 1968 to 1970 inclusive, 1978 to 1980 inclusive and 1985, 1986 and to 30 September 1987; and if he will indicate the effective strengths of An Fórsa in respect of each year mentioned.

8.

Mr. Bell

asked the Minister for Defence the strength of numbers by rank of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil as at the 30 September 1968 to 1970, inclusive, 1978 to 1980, inclusive and 1985 to 1987, inclusive; and if he will make a statement regarding the drop in effective numbers since 1968.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 8 together.

The total amounts of gratuity paid to members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and Slúa Muiri for the years 1985, 1986 and 30 September 1987 are as follows: 1985 — £403,831; 1986 — £401,980; to 30 September, 1987 — £357,787.

Details of gratuities paid to individuals are not maintained. Figures for total amounts paid for previous years are not available.

I propose to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the strength of An Fórsa Áitiúil for the years mentioned.

STRENGTH BY RANK - AN FÓRSA COSANTA ÁITIÚIL

Date	Str	Officers	NCOs	Ptes	Grand Total
Comdt	Capt	Lt	2/Lt	Total	Sgt/Maj	BQMS	C/S	CQMS	Sgt	Cpl	Total
30 Sep 68	19,773	84	110	323	171	688	13	4	87	36	730	2,084	2,954	16,131	19,773
30 Sep 69	20,002	80	128	326	154	688	13	4	83	40	777	2,119	3,036	16,278	20,002
30 Sep 70	18,969	76	148	293	165	682	13	3	81	41	755	2,132	3,025	15,262	18,969
30 Sep 78	19,427	59	146	308	136	649	10	5	84	52	868	2,042	3,061	15,717	19,427
30 Sep 79	19,539	73	141	297	180	691	12	7	87	53	832	2,080	3,071	15,777	19,539
30 Sep 80	19,601	76	142	278	208	704	18	10	98	58	900	2,002	3,086	15,811	19,601
30 Sep 85	15,382	103	187	317	123	730	22	18	105	87	895	1,818	2,945	11,707	15,382
30 Sep 86	15,144	115	191	312	129	747	21	16	106	89	887	1,653	2,772	11,625	15,144
30 Sep 87	15,012	110	199	289	166	764	21	16	105	90	889	1,597	2,718	11,530	15,012

The drop in effective numbers since 1986 is due to normal wastage and suspension of recruitment in 1983 due to financial constraints.

Mr. Bell

Will the Minister agree that, in view of the now farcical situation of the continued one week's annual training for FCA personnel, it might be a better policy to consider the payment of a gratuity based on the hourly attendance at local parade centres?

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): I do not so agree.

Mr. Bell

Will the Minister agree that, because of the continuing policy in relation to the recruitment to both Army and FCA, there is a substantial fall in the level of recruitment to the FCA which effectively had always been the support unit to the PDF?

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): No more substantial than in any year.