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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 5

Written Answers. - Army Bands.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

79 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Defence the current number of Army bands; the number of personnel in each; the further recruitment that is envisaged in regard to each band; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17496/00]

In the context of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces, I approved a proposal from the military authorities that the military band at the Curragh should be amalgamated with the band of the Eastern Brigade, the Army No. 1 Band. The amalgamation of these two bands does not involve any reduction in the overall numbers of musicians within the school of music as already provided for within the Defence Forces review implementation plan approved by the previous Government. Under the previous organisation of the Defence Forces, each Army command, of which there were four, namely the Eastern, Curragh, Southern and Western Commands, had a military band. In the new organisational structure, these four commands were replaced by three brigades. Each of these three brigades, Eastern, Southern and Western, has a band as part of its organisation, with the band of the former Curragh Command being now amalgamated with the band of the Eastern Brigade.

The military authorities are of the opinion that this new organisation of the school of music will allow all of the Army bands to function to their full potential.

The eventual deployment of personnel of the Army School of Music as envisaged under the revised structure will be as follows:

Army No. 1 Band, Eastern Brigade, including Band of former Curragh Command

45

Southern Brigade

41

Western Brigade

41

HQ Administration

9

Total

136

The current strengths of the various bands continue to reflect the pre-amalgamation structure, pending finalisation of administrative changes arising from the re-organisation. These strengths are currently as follows:

Army No. 1 Band, Eastern Brigade

34 all ranks

Band, 1 Southern Brigade

29 all ranks

Band, 4 Western Brigade

26 all ranks

Band, Defence Forces Training Centre, previously Curragh Command

26 all ranks

HQ School of Music

10 all ranks

Total

125

A competition for the recruitment of 22 various instrumentalists will be advertised shortly. All the successful candidates will be posted to the bands of one Southern Brigade and four Western Brigade.
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