Defence Forces Strength.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004

Tuesday, 11 May 2004

Questions (78)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of women serving in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the extent to which this number has increased or decreased in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13658/04]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The strength of females in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, as advised by the military authorities, is set out in the following table:

Strength on 31 March 2004.

	Officers	NCOS	Privates	Cadets	Total
Army	75	103	214	14	406
Air Corps	3	8	9	1	21
Naval Service	16	1	44	5	66
Total PDF	94	112	267	20	493

In the six year period 1998-2003 inclusive, the strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force grew from 244 on 31 December 1997 to 484 on 31 December 2003. This constitutes an increase of 100% in the number of females serving over this period.

Question No. 107 answered with QuestionNo. 39.