Vol. 519 No. 3
53 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Defence the number of serving officers in the Defence Forces who were promoted from the ranks and the proportion this represents; and the plans if any, he has to ensure the promotion of a greater number of officer candidates from the ranks. [13684/00]
I fully support the principle of commissioning suitably qualified non-commissioned personnel in all areas of the Defence Forces. The military authorities advise that of those officers currently in service, a total of 52 or 4.2% have been promoted from non-commissioned rank.
Non-commissioned personnel who attain particular specialist or degree qualifications may be appointed to commissioned rank to fill vacancies in areas in which they are qualified provided that they satisfy an interview board as to their suitability. It is the policy that the filling of such vacancies by commissioning enlisted personnel be given first consideration.
In 1998 two non-commissioned personnel were commissioned as air traffic control officers in the Air Corps. Two non-commissioned Naval Service personnel were commissioned as electrical engineer officers in the Naval Service on 3 November 1999. In March this year, three suitably qualified non-commissioned personnel were commissioned as officers in the information technology area of the Defence Forces.
A potential officers course for 15 Army and Air Corps personnel commenced on 13 September last and is due to be completed in July 2000. Successful candidates will be commissioned as officers on 3 July next. A course commenced in January 2000 for nine Naval Service personnel who will be commissioned as watchkeeping officers on successful completion of their course.
The recently published White Paper on Defence provides for the preparation of an updated Defence Forces personnel management plan, which will include as one of its elements, regular schemes to commission enlisted personnel as officers in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.
