Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 2

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.

David Stanton

Question:

92 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of apprentices recruited into the Defence Forces in the various trade categories for each of the past three years; the number he will recruit in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13411/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement:

Year	Army Apprentices	Naval Service Apprentices	Air Corps Apprentices	Total
1999.00	None	17* of which3 Radar Radio Technicians7 Engine Room Artificers5 Electrical Artificers2 Shipwrights	15§ (all Avionics)	32§
1998.00	10 (all Radio Technicians)	4 of which1 Electrical Artificer1 Engine Room Artificer2 Shipwrights	None	14.00
1997.00	None	None	None	None
1996.00	18 of which6 Motor Mechanics6 Electricians6 Carpenters	None	15(all Aircraft Mechanics)	33.00

§The 1999 competition for Air Corps apprentices was advertised in early May.

*Competition held in 1998, but these apprentices commenced duty in April, 1999.

The apprenticeship needs of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are kept under regular review.