Seán Haughey
Question:104 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Defence when recruitment to the naval service will take place; and if he will give the procedures involved.
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment Campaign.
Willie Penrose
Question:105 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans to commence an immediate recruitment campaign to the Permanent Defence Forces which is urgently required due to the increased security demands placed on our Army, both at home and on international security duties; if he will give an estimate of the numbers who have signed on for recruitment at Columb Barracks, Mullingar and Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath; and the number to be recruited for each of these barracks.
Paul Bradford
Question:106 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence the present position concerning further recruitment to the Defence Forces.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 105 and 106 together.
In 1993 to date, 67 apprentices, 28 cadets, four aeronautical engineer officers and two medical officers were recruited into the Permanent Defence Force. It is not possible at this time to state when there will be an additional intake of general service recruits including recruits for the Naval Service. However, the matter will be kept under review in the light of operational requirements.
Since the last recruitment of general service personnel in 1990, 2,766 persons have applied for enlistment at Custume Barracks, Athlone and the corresponding number for Columb Barracks, Mullingar is 320.