Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 2

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.

David Stanton

Question:

138 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 22 May 2001, he will outline the technical administrative difficulties which are preventing the entry of the individual data records of reserve officers into the computerised personnel management system; the way in which clothing and kit continues to be issued to these officers; the way in which such issued kit is accounted for both locally and centrally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15813/01]

David Stanton

Question:

139 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of Reserve Defence Forces officers in each respective rank; the further number of these whose individual data records are entered into the computerised personnel management systems of his Department; when this system was installed initially; the cost of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15814/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The personnel management system had some minor software programming problems which prevented the entry of individual data records of reserve officers into the system. These difficulties have now been resolved and it is proposed to start entering these records into the system in the very near future. The issue and accounting of clothing and kit to reserve officers is at present carried out using a manual recording system. A very simple and basic personnel management system was initially installed in 1987 and since then has undergone many software changes and upgrades. The cost of the system is not readily available.

The military authorities advise that the number of reserve defence force officers in each respective rank in shown in the following table:

Number of FCA Officers in each rank on 1 April 2001

Commandant	Captain	Lieutenant	2/Lieutenant	Total
114.00	207.00	174.00	199.00	694.00