Vol. 505 No. 2
28 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence the number of ships in the Naval Service and the number at sea at any given time; the proposals, if any, he has to ensure the recruitment of additional personnel to the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13176/99]
The Naval Service is equipped with a total of seven vessels comprising one helicopter carrying vessel, four off shore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. At any one time there would generally be three or four vessels on patrol. In December 1997 a contract was placed for the supply of a new fishery protection patrol vessel which is due to be delivered in September 1999.
I propose to maintain a policy of continuous recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force and in this regard some 65 positions from the first intake of general service recruits, which took place in March-April last, have been allocated to the Naval Service. A similar intake is planned for later this year. Seventeen apprentices have also been recruited to the service and some 14 cadets will be recruited from this year's cadet competition.
