Vol. 526 No. 5
57 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel recruited to the Defence Forces for the years 1995 to 1997 inclusive and separately for the years 1998 to 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27093/00]
The number of personnel recruited to the Defence Forces in the years 1995 to 1997 was 1,129 as follows: 130 in 1995, 260 in 1996 and 739 in 1997.
The number recruited in the period 1998 to 2000 was 2,037 as follows: 771 in 1998; 683 in 1999 and 583 to date in 2000. The target for general recruitment in 2000 is 750 personnel of whom 532 have already been recruited.
The apprenticeship competition 2000 is in its final stage. The military authorities hope to be in a position to offer positions to successful candidates before the end of the year.
