Austin Deasy
Question:53 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if there is a difficulty in recruiting sufficient suitable candidates for the Defence Forces; and the trend in retirements and recruitment. [20583/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.
Phil Hogan
Question:56 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel medically examined for entry into the Defence Forces since 1 January 1999; the number of these which failed the medical examination on hearing loss and colour blindness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20502/99]
Gerry Reynolds
Question:67 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel recruited to the Defence Forces since 1 January 1999; if he will give a breakdown between recruits and cadets, by gender; the number of those recruited which have left during their initial training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20497/99]
Enda Kenny
Question:77 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces; the further recruitment plans, if any, he has in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20578/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:150 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces; the further recruitment plans, if any, he has in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20547/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 56, 67, 77 and 150 together.
There were 11,139 personnel serving in the Defence Forces at 30 June 1999, the latest date for which such figures are available. The 1999 General Service Enlistment Recruitment Campaign was advertised in February, with a view to the enlistment of some 550 recruits to the Permanent Defence Force in 1999. To date, some 375 recruits have already been enlisted and a further 85 are expected to be enlisted over the coming weeks. Furthermore, interviews in connection with a further planned intake of general service recruits this year are currently taking place. I have also authorised the intake of an additional 100 recruits in 1999. As the Government's policy of continuous recruitment is being maintained, I would envisage no difficulty in reaching the full recruitment quota for 1999.
While it has not been possible in the time available to compile a comprehensive categorisation of persons who left the Defence Forces up to the end of September, I am advised that some 89 recruits were discharged during initial training. There was an enlistment of 375 general service recruits, four Naval Service radio radar technicians, two pharmacists, one medical officer, 17 Naval Service apprentices, 58 cadets and 15 Air Corps avionics apprentices. Proposals for direct entry competitions for marine engineer officers and watchkeeping officers are at an advanced stage. Vacancies which have arisen at non-commissioned rank are being filled internally by promotion and vacancies created in the lower ranks consequent on these promotions are being filled by the continuous recruitment process.
In 1999, a total of 647 applicants were called for medical examination for enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force. Some 78 failed the medical examination. Of these, 14 failed the audiometric test. The figure for applicants who failed the eyesight examination due to colour blindness is not available as they are classed as having failed the overall medical examination.
The numbers of males and females who were enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force in 1999 are as follows:
|
Male |
Female |
|
|
General Recruits |
324.00 |
51.00 |
|
Apprentices |
31.00 |
1.00 |
|
Cadets |
50.00 |
8.00 |
|
Radio Radar Technicians |
4.00 |
0.00 |
|
Pharmacists |
0.00 |
2.00 |
|
Medical Officer |
1.00 |
0.00 |
Michael D. Higgins
Question:54 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to increase the number of personnel in the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20446/99]
P. J. Sheehan
Question:57 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Defence the staff shortages in the Naval Service; and the plans, if any, he has to deal with them. [20572/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:147 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the staff shortages in the Naval Service; and the plans, if any, he has to deal with these shortages. [20542/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 57 and 147 together.
The ongoing recruitment campaign for enlistment in the Defence Forces, which I have approved, is designed to address any shortfalls in personnel numbers in the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service. To date in 1999, a total of 53 general service recruits have been enlisted in the Naval Service. The Naval Service will continue to enlist general service recruits during the remainder of 1999 and again in the course of the year 2000 to address manpower shortages.
A special recruitment campaign for general service recruits launched specifically for the Naval Service in September 1999 has already attracted some 400 inquiries. To date, approximately 100 applicants have been called for interviews which commenced on 11 October 1999 in Cork, Waterford, Dublin and Athlone. Additionally, 17 apprentices and four radio and radar technicians have been enlisted this year and a number of personnel have transferred from the Air Corps to take up radio radar technician appointments. On 20 September 1999, eight Naval Service cadets were enlisted and are currently in training in the cadet school, Defence Forces training centre. They will return to the naval base in January 2000. Proposals for the cadet competition for 2000 are currently being finalised by the military authorities.
Two non-commissioned personnel are due to be commissioned as electrical engineer officers on 3 November next and proposals for direct entry competitions for marine engineer officers and watchkeeping officers are at an advanced stage. Vacancies which have arisen at non-commissioned rank are being filled internally by promotion and vacancies created in the lower ranks consequent on these promotions are being filled by the ongoing recruitment process.