asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider reviewing the regulations for Army apprentices whereby they are required to sign on for service for a 12-year period; if he will consider reducing this 12-year requirement to six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Army Apprentices.
192.
, Limerick West): The terms of enlistment of apprentices are nine years in the Permanent Defence Force and three years in the Reserve Defence Force. Having regard to the considerable cost involved in the training of apprentices it is not proposed to reduce their period of engagement.