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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Feb 1992

Vol. 416 No. 1

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Courses.

Seán Ryan

Seán Ryan

Seán Ryan

Question:

107 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if, in regard to (1) standard, (2) command and (3) staff courses, he will outline (1) the number of participants by (i) corps, (ii) command or (iii) headquarters, for each of the years 1985 to 1991 inclusive; (2) the nature of these courses; (3) whether participants apply to undertake these courses; (4) the implications from a career point of view in not undertaking such courses and (5) whether the placing obtained is of consequence in subsequent appointments or promotions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

John P. Wilson

Minister for Defence (Mr. Wilson)

In recommending an officer for promotion to the rank of commandant the chief of staff must certify that the officer has successfully completed the standard course for his service corps. In the case of promotion to lieutenant colonel or higher rank the regulations stipulate that the officer must have successfully completed a command and staff course. Officers are detailed to undergo the standard course while they are afforded a once off opportunity to undergo the command and staff course. The placing obtained by officers who successfully complete these courses has no bearing on their subsequent appointments. Details of the number of officers who attended these courses in the period from 1985 to 1991 are as follows:

Standard Courses

Command

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1990-91

Army HQ

7

3

1

3

4

4

4

Eastern

15

11

9

12

11

13

7

Southern

5

10

8

6

1

7

3

Western

11

1

7

4

4

6

2

Curragh

6

10

14

20

19

19

14

Air Corps

4

—

4

1

—

—

1

Naval Service

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total

49

35

43

46

39

49

31

Corps

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1990-91

Infantry

25

20

22

14

14

11

19

Artillery

4

9

3

8

15

17

—

Cavalry

2

—

1

2

1

8

1

Engineer

2

1

1

8

1

4

1

Signal

4

2

3

1

1

9

3

Ordnance

5

1

3

3

3

—

—

Supply and Transport

1

2

6

9

4

—

4

Military Police

1

—

—

—

—

—

2

Air Corps

4

—

4

—

—

—

1

Naval Service

1

—

—

1

—

—

—
Command and Staff Courses

Command

1985-86

1986-87

1987-88

1989-90

1990-91

Army HQ

1

—

4

4

3

Eastern

5

5

3

3

5

Southern

—

3

4

1

2

Western

4

4

3

4

4

Curragh

4

5

5

7

6

Air Corps

—

—

—

2

1

Naval Service

3

4

3

4

4

Total

17

21

22

25

25

Corps

1985-86

1986-87

1987-88

1989-90

1990-91

Infantry

11

9

10

11

12

Artillery

2

—

—

—

3

Cavalry

—

2

1

3

2

Engineer

—

1

2

1

—

Signal

—

1

1

—

—

Ordnance

1

1

4

2

—

Supply and Transport

—

—

1

—

3

Military Police

—

3

—

2

—

Air Corps

—

—

—

2

1

Naval Service

3

4

3

4

4
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