Tom Enright
Question:22 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Defence the resources necessary in order to increase the intake of recruitment of Air Corps pilots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12689/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.
Tom Enright
Question:34 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Defence if he will increase the recruitment of pilots to the Air Corps in order to allow it to carry out its range of tasks. [12688/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:87 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he will increase the recruitment of pilots to the Air Corps in order to allow it to carry out its range of tasks. [13363/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:88 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the resources necessary in order to increase the intake of recruitment of Air Corps pilots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13364/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 34, 87 and 88 together.
I am satisfied with the position regarding the recruitment of Air Corps pilots. The numbers of Air Corps cadets recruited over the last four years are as follows:
|
Year |
Air Corps Cadets Recruited |
|
1995 |
10 |
|
1996 |
10 |
|
1997 |
10 |
|
1998 |
11 |
It is proposed to recruit a further 12 cadets for the Air Corps in 1999.
There are a total of 83 pilots in the Air Corps at present. Seven cadets are due to be commissioned in 1999 and a further 11 are due for commissioning in 2000.
Deirdre Clune
Question:25 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Defence his Department's action plan to improve the representation of women in the Army, Navy and Air Corps; the initiatives taken to date; his response to the figures published in Parliamentary Questions Nos. 31 and 133 of 1 April 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12686/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:86 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence his Department's action plan to improve the representation of women in the Army, Navy and Air Corps; the initiatives taken to date; his response to the figures published in Parliamentary Questions No. 31 and 133 of 1 April 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13362/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 86 together.
The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force, and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Women are eligible for service in the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service and in the Reserve Defence Force and to compete for all appointments on an equal basis and under the same general conditions as those which apply to men. All female personnel undergo the same training and receive the same military education as their male counterparts.
In order to encourage increased participation by women in the Defence Forces I decided last year to reduce the height requirement for all female recruits 5' 4".