asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the number of persons who offered themselves for enlistment in the Defence Forces since the renewal of the recruiting campaign on 1st January, 1950, and the number accepted and attested during the same period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces.
The number of persons who offered themselves for enlistment in the Defence Forces since the renewal of the recruiting campaign on 3rd January, 1950, up to and including the 2nd March, 1950, was 1,638.
The number accepted and attested during the same period was 842.
Major de Valera
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the total strength of (a) the Defence Forces (Permanent Force); (b) the Reserve, First Line; (c) the F.C.A. (Reserve, Second Line), on the 28th February, 1950, in each case stating whether the strengths stated are effective strengths.
The approximate effective strength of the Defence Forces on the 28th February, 1950, in the various categories was as follows:—
(a) Permanent Force, 7,992; (b) Reserve (First Line), 5,764; (c) Reserve (Second Line), F.C.A., 26,436; Sluagh Muirí, 236.
These figures may require minor adjustments on audit.
Major de Valera
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the total effective strength of the Defence Forces, permanent force, exclusive of chaplains, cadets and members of the Army Nursing Services, on each of the following dates, namely: (a) the 30th September, 1949; (b) the 31st December, 1949; (c) the 28th February, 1950.
The total effective strengths of the permanent force (exclusive of cadets) on the dates mentioned by the Deputy were as follows: (a) 30th September, 1949-7,715; (b) 31st December, 1949-7,357; (c) 28th February, 1950-7,858.
The last-mentioned figure may be subject to minor adjustment on audit.
Major de Valera
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state, exclusive of chaplains, cadets and members of the Army Nursing Services: (a) the actual number of regular officers; (b) the actual number of regular N.C.O.s, and (c) the actual number of regular privates, serving in the Defence Forces, permanent force, on the 31st December, 1949.
The numbers in the different categories were: (a) 1,050; (b) 2,458; (c) 3,849.
Major de Valera
Am I to take it that the figure of 7,992 is the total strength of the permanent force and that it is comparable with the figure of 8,006 given in March or April last year by the Minister?
I do not get the Deputy's point.
Major de Valera
The Minister, in reply to a question by me last year, gave the total strength of the permanent force in March of last year as 8,006. He gave the total strength of the Defence Forces when he took office as 8,672. Is the figure of 7,992 given in answer to the first question—28th February, 1950—to be taken as comparable with these figures already given by the Minister in the past?
I take it that it is a comparable figure. I have not the figures given in the past—and to which the Deputy refers—in front of me but I take it that they were the correct figures for these particular dates. I think the figure here is exclusive of cadets.
Major de Valera
Which would be only a matter of 100.
About 170 or 180.
Major de Valera
Am I to take it, then, that the Defence Forces—the permanent force—are not at the moment stronger than they were when the Minister took over?
No. I think the Deputy has in mind a reference of mine on the Defence Forces Bill a few days ago. As I informed the House, I did not anticipate a debate on that particular Bill. I had not the figures in front of me and I was speaking from memory. I told the House that the strength to-day was actually greater than it was at the time I took over. My memory did not serve me correctly. There is a difference of some hundreds.
A few hundred.
A few hundred.