Vol. 519 No. 3
103 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the current position in relation to staffing levels in the Naval Service; if these levels are adequate to allow maximum utilisation of the fleet for fishery protection duty and other duties. [13346/00]
Proposals are currently being formulated by the military authorities for maximising the effectiveness and efficiency of Naval Service ships and ships' companies on patrolling duties. All eight naval vessels are operational and the military authorities advise that current operational commitments are being met.
With regard to staffing levels, there are eight officers and 12 cadets undergoing training for watchkeeping certificates. In January this year, nine non-commissioned personnel started a two year course with a view to being commissioned as watchkeeping officers. A competition for direct entry watchkeeping officers is under way and assessment of current applications is nearing conclusion. There are currently five cadets and four officers undergoing training as marine engineer officers. Proposals for a direct entry competition for marine engineer officers are currently being considered and are at an advanced stage.
The cadet competition for this year is also under way and it is anticipated that 16 Naval Service cadetships will be offered.
Two non-commissioned personnel were commissioned as Naval Service electrical engineer officers in November last. One non-commissioned officer was commissioned in March to fill an information technology appointment. 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.
The present policy of ongoing recruitment for enlistment in the Defence Forces, which I have approved, is designed to address the question of any shortfalls in personnel numbers in the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service. In 1999, a total of 97 general service recruits were enlisted in the Naval Service under the general recruitment campaign. A further general service recruitment campaign for the Defence Forces in respect of the year 2000 was advertised recently.
The proposed schedule for the intake of recruits for the Naval Service for 2000 is as follows: April, 20 to 30 recruits; September, 40 recruits; and December, 40 recruits.
Thirty seven recruits completed training on 6 April 2000.
There are currently 45 apprentices in training as follows: engine room artificers, 19; shipwrights, six; radio/radar technicians, seven; and electrical artificer, 13.
Proposals for an intake of apprentices in 2000 are being considered. A total of £165,000 has been allocated for recruitment advertising for the year 2000. The military authorities have had responsibility for the advertising budget since the launch of the White Paper on Defence on 29 February 2000. The administrative details relating to this delegation are now being finalised. Essentially, the military authorities now have responsibility for the allocation and deployment of funds for recruitment advertising.
