Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004
105 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which women have been promoted to the higher ranks in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13657/04]
View answerThe Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force, and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.
Women are eligible for service in the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service and in the Reserve Defence Force and to compete for promotion on an equal basis and under the same general conditions as those which apply to men. Female personnel are generally being promoted at the same stage in their career as male personnel. All female personnel undergo the same training and receive the same military education as their male counterparts.
The following table shows the strength of female personnel, by rank, as on 31 March 2004.
|
Lt Gen |
Maj Gen |
Brig Gen |
Col |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
Total Offrs |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGTS |
CPLS |
Total NCOS |
PTES |
Cadets |
Total |
|
|
Army |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
13 |
30 |
31 |
75 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
10 |
89 |
103 |
214 |
14 |
406 |
|
Air Corps |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
1 |
21 |
|
Naval Service |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
14 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
44 |
5 |
66 |
