Vol. 492 No. 7
145 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Defence the position in relation to Defence Forces staff in the Ordnance Survey Office who are to be transferred out of the Defence Forces into civilian positions; when this will happen; and the numbers involved. [15226/98]
The Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan 1996-98, approved by the Government on 5 March 1996, provides for the creation of a revised orgnisational structure with a total manpower of 11,500 by the end of 1998. There is no provision in the new organisation for the attachment of military personnel to the Ordnance Survey Office nor is there any requirement for these cartographers in the Defence Forces. These military cartographers have been fully trained at public expense and Ordnance Survey Ireland is totally dependent on them to meet its work programmes. In the past, these personnel would, after a period of three to four years, have been offered the opportunity to compete in a confined competition organised by the Civil Service Commission to transfer to the Ordnance Survvey Office as civilians. However, no such competition has been held since 1985.
