Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 4

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Strength.

Michael McDowell

Question:

24 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Defence the total strength of the Defence Forces by rank and by command service on 31 January 1996; the corresponding figures on 31 January 1997; the number by rank and command service who have left the Defence Forces during this period other than through the VER; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7155/97]

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

26 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Defence the percentage reduction in strength of each infantry battalion of the army between 31 January 1996, and 31 January 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7153/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Barrett)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 26 together. The information requested is as follows:

1. Details of the Permanent Defence Force officer strength on 31 January 1996 and on 31 January 1997 together with the number who left the Force in that period, other than those who availed of the voluntary early retirement scheme, are as follows:

Rank	PDF Officer Strenths	No. of officers who left the PDF other than through the VER scheme — 31/1/96 to 31/1/97
	Strength on 31/1/97	Strength on 31/1/96
Lieutenant		1	—
General	1
Major General	3	2	1
Brigadier		9	1
General	8
Colonel	38	38	6
Lieutenant		151	11
Colonel	140
Commandant	452	486	11
Captain	539	597	28
Lieutenant	201	201	1
2/Lieutenant	60	57	—
Total	1,442	1,542	59

2. Enlisted personnel strength on 31 January, 1996 and on 31 January, 1997 together with the number discharged, other than those who availed of the VER scheme, in that 12 month period is as follows:

Strength on 31 January 1997

	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGT	CPL	Total NCOs	PTEs	CADET	TOTAL
East	10	17	57	96	505	732	1,417	1,629	0	3,046
South	4	4	22	76	195	347	648	854	0	1,502
West	4	5	24	83	219	412	747	1,237	0	1,984
Curragh	13	16	41	67	317	560	1,014	1,059	49	2,122
Air Corps	5	4	55	16	131	227	438	498	18	954
Nav Ser.	6	5	58	16	183	184	452	393	7	852
Total	42	51	257	354	1,550	2,462	4,716	5,670	74	10,460

Strength on 31 January 1996

	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGT	CPL	Total NCOs	PTEs	CADET	TOTAL
East	13	18	62	108	545	792	1,538	1,677		3,215
South	3	6	26	86	222	375	718	947		1,665
West	4	7	27	87	245	446	816	1,320		2,136
Curragh	16	17	45	72	348	572	1,070	1,135	42	2,247
Air Corps	5	4	59	17	133	221	439	511	16	966
Nav. Sce.	7	5	65	15	195	197	484	437	10	931
Total	48	57	284	385	1,688	2,603	5,065	6,027	68	11,160

Discharges 31 January 1996 to 31 January 1997 (other than through VER)

Comd	APPR	PTE	CPL	L/S	P/O	SGT	CQMS FQMS	CS/FS BS	SGT MAJOR	Total
Air Corps	1	8	4	—	—	1	1	1	—	16
Curragh	3	37	14	—	—	17	3	5	1	80
Eastern		65	20	—	—	15	3	3	1	107
Naval Service	1	25	7	7	5	5	—	1	—	51
South	—	22	4	—	—	9	1	2	—	38
West	—	34	12	—	—	5	—	1	1	53
Total	5	191	61	7	5	52	8	13	3	345

3. The strength of each infantry Battalion on 31 January 1996 and on 31 January 1997 was as follows:

Infantry Battalion	Strength on 31 January, 1996	Strength on 31 January, 1997	Actual Reduction	% Reduction
1 Infantry Battalion	265	259	6	2.26
2 Infantry Battalion	266	247	19	7.14
3 Infantry Battalion	260	245	15	5.77
4 Infantry Battalion	264	250	14	5.30
5 Infantry Battalion	242	224	18	7.44
6 Infantry Battalion	291	289	2	0.69
7 Infantry Battalion*	21	20	1	4.76
8 Infantry Battalion*	21	21	0	0.00
9 Infantry Battalion*	26	27	–1	–3.85
10 Infantry Battalion*	23	20	3	13.04
11 Infantry Battalion*	20	21	–1	–5.00
12 Infantry Battalion	373	334	39	10.46
13 Infantry Battalion*	23	17	6	26.09
14 Infantry Battalion*	19	18	1	5.26
15 Infantry Battalion*	22	24	–2	–9.09
16 Infantry Battalion*	21	18	3	14.29
17 Infantry Battalion*	22	23	–1	–4.55
18 Infantry Battalion*	22	18	4	18.18
19 Infantry Battalion*	22	22	0	0.00
20 Infantry Battalion*	21	20	1	4.76
21 Infantry Battalion*	14	15	–1	–7.14
22 Infantry Battalion*	17	14	3	17.65
23 Infantry Battalion*	19	15	4	21.05
24 Infantry Battalion*	19	19	0	0.00
25 Infantry Battalion*	22	18	4	18.18
26 Infantry Battalion	410	371	39	9.51
27 Infantry Battalion	525	492	33	6.29
28 Infantry Battalion	331	319	12	3.63
29 Infantry Battalion	312	290	22	7.05
Total	3,913	3,670	243	6.21

N.B. A minus percentage represents an increase in strength.

*FCA Battalions — These are members of the Permanent Defence Force engaged in the administration and training of the FCA Infantry Battalions.