Vol. 432 No. 2
91 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the vacancies which exist at NCO level within the Defence Forces; the reasons promotions are being delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Promotions to and within the NCO ranks of the Permanent Defence Force depend on the rate at which NCOs leave the force. In that regard there has been a substantial reduction in recent years in the number of personnel who voluntarily leave the service. The number of NCOs serving at present is approximately 97 per cent of the permitted strength and there is an ongoing process dealing with the filling of the remaining vacancies.
