Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 19 Oct 1999

Written Answers. - Military Bands.

Paul McGrath

Question:

85 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the numbers recruited into the band of the Western Command based at Custume Barracks, Athlone, in each of the past two years; the present strength of this band; if he will compare this to the band's strength for each of the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1995; and if he will make a statement concerning the future of this band. [20081/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I am advised by the military authorities that accurate records of the strength of Army bands in respect of the years 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1990 are no longer available. The strength of the band of 4 Western Brigade from 1995 is as follows:–

1995	37
1996	35
1997	30
1998	29
1999	27

I have agreed to a proposal by the military authorities that the Defence Forces School of Music be re-organised from four (4) bands to three (3) bands and it is proposed that the band of 4 Western Brigade will have an establishment of forty-one (41) all ranks.

There has been no recruitment to the band of 4 Western Brigade since 1993. A competition to recruit personnel to the Defence Forces School of Music including the band of 4 Western Brigade will be advertised shortly. A total of twenty-two (22) musicians are to be recruited and approximately 50 per cent will be posted to the band of 4 Western Brigade.