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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 8

Written Answers. - FCA and An Slua Muirí.

Michael Bell

Question:

124 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the FCA and An Slua Muirí; the number and locations of centres or locations opened and closed since 1994; the number of personnel who underwent paid training in 1995 and 1996; the number of personnel who resigned or were discharged or placed on the noneffective lists in each of the years from 1994 to 1996; the proposals, if any, he has for reverting to 14 days annual training in 1997 or future years; the number of personnel enlisted by service in each of the years from 1994 to 1997; the average age of those commissioned and other ranks in the FCA and An Slua Muirí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4083/97]

The current strength of An Forsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí is 14,908 and 369, respectively.

Since 1994, a total of seven training centres were opened and 30 were closed. Of those that were opened four were in the Southern Command area, two in the Western Command area and one in the Curragh Command area. The closures were two in Eastern Command, 13 in Southern Command, 12 in Western Command and three in the Curragh Command. It should be noted that some of those that were opened were in lieu of closures in the same locations.

The provision in the Defence Vote under the heading of annual training and casual security duties for the FCA and An Slua Muirí caters for 63,000 man days. Accordingly, approximately 9,000 members will attend seven day courses of annual training and 14 day courses of instruction in 1997 which is similar to the number who attended such courses in 1995 and 1996. Since 1994, 9,026 members of the FCA and An Slua Muirí resigned, were discharged or were posted non-effective and enlistment totalled 6,440 in the same period. Many of those who were posted non-effective were subsequently discharged.

The average age of FCA and An Slua Muirí officers is 42 years. The average age by rank of enlisted personnel is as follows:

RANK

Eastern Command

Southern Command

Western Command

Curragh Command

Slua Muirí

Sergeant Major

55

53

55

52

NIL

Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant

55

50

51

56

50

Company Sergeant

48

43

42

48

45

Company Quartermaster Sergeant

47

44

45

44

42

Sergeant

38

35

37

38

34

Corporal

25

25

27

31

29

Private

20

19

20

22

27

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