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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 3

Written Answers. - Army Bands.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

84 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel in each Army band; his plans for the future development of Army bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4663/02]

In the context of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces under the 1996 Defence Forces review implementation plan, 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 number 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 current strengths of the various bands continue to reflect the pre-amalgamation structure, pending finalisation of administrative changes arising from the reorganisation. These strengths are as follows: Army No. 1 Band, eastern brigade and including band of former Curragh command – 55; southern brigade – 32; western brigade – 18; HQ administration – 10; total – 115.
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 and including band of former Curragh command – 45; southern brigade – 41; western brigade – 41; HQ administration – 9; Total – 136. The military authorities are of the opinion that this new organisation of the school of music will allow all the Army bands to function to their full potential.
A competition for the ongoing recruitment of instrumentalists to the Defence Forces school of music was advertised at the end of 2000. Arising from this competition five applicants who were found suitable were enlisted in the Defence Forces on 23 April 2001 of which one was subsequently discharged. A further competition took place in late 2001 and applications from six suitable candidates are being processed at present. Applications are still being accepted for the current competition.
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