Thomas P. Broughan
Question:62 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence the number of PDF non-commissioned officers commissioned since 1990 by corps; and the number currently serving in the Air Corps. [23103/97]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Strength.
There were no non-commissioned officers appointed to commissioned rank in the Permanent Defence Force in 1990, 1994 and 1996. In 1991, one non-commissioned officer was appointed to commissioned rank in the Ordnance Corps. In 1992, a total of 24 non-commissioned officers were appointed to commissioned rank — 14 to the Army, five to the Air Corps and five to the Naval Service. One non-commissioned officer was appointed to commissioned rank in the Permanent Defence Force in each of the years 1993, 1995 and 1997. Each of these officers was assigned to the Army — the personnel commissioned in 1993 and 1995 were appointed to the Ordnance Corps and the member commissioned in 1997 was appointed to the Army School of Music.
At present there are seven officers serving in the Air Corps who were commissioned from non-commissioned rank.
Serving members of the Permanent Defence Force may take part in the annual cadetship competitions and in that regard an extension of the upper age limit to under 24 years applies in their case.