Defence Forces Strength.

Wednesday, 12 May 2004

Questions (85)

Dinny McGinley

Question:

104 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel serving with the Air Corps currently; if this number is expected to rise or fall significantly over the coming 12-month period; the estimated number of new recruits to the service that will be made over the coming 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13863/04]

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Written answers

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 provides for a total establishment of 930 personnel for the Air Corps, all ranks. There were 891 personnel serving in the Air Corps as of 31 March 2004. The table below provides details of rank.

Strength of the Air Corps as of 31 March 2004

	OFFICERS	NCOS	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
Air Corps	139	410	332	10	891

The total number serving in the Air Corps is not expected to show any significant change over the next 12 months. It is intended to recruit six cadets and 25 apprentices in 2004.