Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 3

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Strength.

Finian McGrath

Question:

53 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the number of soldiers in the Army; the number of males and females; the number of helicopters; the number retiring in 2003; and if he has satisfied himself that they are fully equipped to deal with the UN mission in Liberia. [29592/03]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The strength of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service and the number of female personnel by rank within these services as advised by the military authorities, is provided in the form of the following tabular statement. The figures provided are as at 31 October 2003 in respect of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.

The number of officers, non-commissioned officers and privates who left the Defence Forces in 2003 is as follows:

Officers	NCOs	Privates	Total
38	163	310	511

The Air Corps possess a fleet of 12 general purpose helicopters, comprising four Dauphins, seven Alouettes and one Gazelle. I am satisfied that the Permanent Defence Force is fully equipped to deal with the UN mission in Liberia. I refer the Deputy to the detailed reply contained in Question No. 4 of today's date.

Strength of the Defence Forces

31 October, 2003.

	LtGen	MajGen	BrigGen	Col	Lt Col	Comdt	Capt	Lt	TotalOffrs	Sm	Bqms	Cs	Cqms	Sgts	Cpls	TotalNcos	Ptes	Cadets	Total
Army	1	3	6	36	118	357	281	228	1,030	32	40	142	249	1,065	1,579	3,107	4,258	99	8,494
Air Corps	0	0	1	2	12	35	24	60	134	7	4	53	15	130	206	415	346	16	911
Naval Service	0	0	1	2	13	40	22	61	139	7	7	75	15	199	139	442	455	28	1,064

Strength of Females in the Defence Forces

31 October, 2003.

	LtGen	MajGen	BrigGen	Col	Lt Col	Comdt	Capt	Lt	TotalOffrs	Sm	Bqms	Cs	Cqms	Sgts	Cpls	TotalNcos	Ptes	Cadets	Total
Army	0	0	0	0	1	13	30	31	75	0	0	3	1	10	84	98	208	15	396
Air Corps	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	3	0	0	1	0	0	6	7	11	1	22
Naval Service	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	14	16	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	42	5	64

Strength of Males in the Defence Forces

31 October, 2003.

	LtGen	MajGen	BrigGen	Col	Lt Col	Comdt	Capt	Lt	TotalOffrs	Sm	Bqms	Cs	Cqms	Sgts	Cpls	TotalNcos	Ptes	Cadets	Total
Army	1	3	6	36	117	344	251	197	955	32	40	139	248	1,055	1,495	3,009	4,050	84	8,098
Air Corps	0	0	1	2	12	35	23	58	131	7	4	52	15	130	200	408	335	15	889
Naval Service	0	0	1	2	13	40	20	47	123	7	7	75	15	199	138	441	413	23	1,000