Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 4

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.

Paul McGrath

Question:

90 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the number of recruits taken into the Army's Western Command in each of the past two years; the number allocated to Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and the plans, if any, he has for the future of this barracks. [20080/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

In 1998, some 113 recruits were enlisted in the Western Brigade.

To date this year, 85 recruits were enlisted in the Western Brigade from the current programme of continuous recruitment which was advertised in February of this year and, of these, some 27 were allocated to Columb Barracks. This recruitment programme is ongoing and it is not possible to state, at this stage, if more recruits will be allocated to Columb Barracks. This is a matter to be decided by the General Officer Commanding, Western Brigade, based on the operational commitments of his brigade at the time.