Vol. 487 No. 7
73 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the number of new recruits accepted in Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath; if he will increase this number; if so, when applicants will be accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5086/98]
Thirty four recruits were assigned to Columb Barracks, Mullingar during 1997. Recruitment to the Defence Forces is carried out on a countrywide basis and it is proposed that five hundred recruits will be enlisted in the course of the 1998 campaign. It is not possible to state the number to be assigned to Columb Barracks, Mullingar during the current year. The assignment of recruits within the Defence Forces is a matter for the military authorities.
