Jack Wall
Question:133 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of recruits enlisted in the Curragh, Kildare, Mullingar, Kilkenny and Dundalk barracks in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13298/98]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.
Jack Wall
Question:134 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of recruits enlisted on a national level in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13299/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together.
A total of 647 recruits were enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force in 1997. A policy of continuous recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force is now in operation. This year it is proposed to enlist 500 general service recruits. To date, 300 applicants have been offered positions as general service recruits. The deployment of military personnel, including recruits on completion of their recruit training, is a matter for the military authorities having regard to the operational requirements of the Permanent Defence Force generally.