Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Vacancies.

Michael Bell

Question:

946 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 24 April 1996, the current position regarding vacancies as at 31 May 1996, both in the Permanent Defence Force and the FCA/Slua Muirí; the number of vacancies in the senior NCO ranks of the FCA and Slua Muirí as at 31 May 1996, by unit and formation concerned; the dates the vacancies arose in the FCA and Slua Muirí for both officers and NCOs; when these vacancies will be filled in the FCA and Slua Muirí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14943/96]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Barrett)

The information requested in relation to officers is as follows:

FCA/Slua Muirí Officers Vacancies by Command/Service as at 31 May 1996.

	Commandant	Captain	Date Became Vacant	Vacancy likely to be filled by
Eastern Command
8th Infantry Battalion	1		04/96
20th Infantry Battalion		2	03/95	08/96
			04/95
11th Cavalry Squadron		3	04/93	08/96
			05/94
			01/96
Southern Command
FCA Headquarters	1		10/92
11th Infantry Battalion	1		01/95
14th Infantry Battalion	1		12/93	07/96
15th Infantry Battalion	1		05/95
3rd Cavalry Squadron		3	08/84
			01/89
			11/90
3rd Field Engineer Company		1	04/91
8th Field Artillery Regiment		1	01/95	08/96
Western Command
16th Infantry Battalion	1		01/96	08/96
17th Infantry Battalion	1		10/81	08/96
		1	10/81
18th Infantry Battalion		1	12/83
19th Infantry Battalion		1	05/96	08/96
25th Infantry Battalion		1	02/95	08/96
5th Cavalry Squadron		3	Prior to `82	08/96
5th Field Signals Company		1	02/95
5th Field Artillery Regiment	1		04/95	08/96
		1	04/90
9th Field Artillery Regiment		1	01/96
Curragh Command
6th Field Artillery Regiment		1	07/95
1st Air Defence Regiment		1	—
An Slua Muirí
No. 1 Company		1	10/95
No. 3 Company		1	2/85
No. 4 Company	1	2	03/96	08/96
			07/92
			01/83
No. 5 Company		1	11/94

The remaining vacancies will be filled as required as soon as personnel who meet the necessary criteria for promotion are available.

Details regarding the establishment and strength in the senior NCO ranks of the FCA/Slua Muirí are as follows:

Rank	Establishment	Strength
Sergeant Major	24	24
Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant	24	23
Company Sergeant	128	121
Company Quartermaster Sergeant	128	114

Vacancies are filled as required, subject to the availability of suitable personnel.