asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the strength of the Defence Forces at 31st March in each of the years 1953 to 1956, and the number of enlistments, and the number who left the forces in each of the years in question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Strength of Defence Forces.
As the reply is in tabular form I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to include it in the Official Report.
Following is the reply:—
(a) The strength of the Defence Forces on 31st March in each of the years 1953 to 1956 was as follows:—
|
Permanent Defence Force. |
Reserve of Officers (First Line) and Reserve of Men (First Line) |
Reserve of Officers (An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil) and Reserve of Men (An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil) |
Reserve of Officers (An Slua Muirí) and Reserve of Men (An Slua Muirí) |
Total Strength. |
|||||
|
Effective |
Non-effective |
Effective |
Non-effective |
Effective |
Non-effective |
Effective |
Non-effective |
||
|
31/3/53 |
10,562 |
3,313 |
1,039 |
17,360 |
15,021 |
319 |
78 |
31,554 |
16,138 |
|
31/3/54 |
10,412 |
3,849 |
1,179 |
18,104 |
13,288 |
380 |
107 |
32,745 |
14,574 |
|
31/3/55 |
9,692 |
4,406 |
1,371 |
19,685 |
12,297 |
295 |
169 |
34,078 |
13,837 |
|
31/3/56 |
8,735 |
4,928 |
1,727 |
19,663 |
11,764 |
304 |
170 |
33,630 |
13,661 |
NOTE: Reservists on the non-effective list (i.e. those who fail to report for training, etc.) remain liable for permanent service and for service in aid of the civil power.
(b) The number of enlistments in each of the years 1953 to 1956 was as under:—
|
Year ended |
Permanent Defence Force |
An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil |
An Slua Muirí |
Total |
|
31/3/53 |
2,537 |
5,984 |
137 |
8,658 |
|
31/3/54 |
2,168 |
5,843 |
154 |
8,165 |
|
31/3/55 |
1,380 |
6,873 |
47 |
8,300 |
|
31/3/56 |
1,296 |
5,680 |
87 |
7,063 |
(c) Discharges (other than for the purpose of being appointed officers and for re-enlistment) during the years ended 31st March, 1953, to 1956 totalled:—
|
Year ended |
Permanent Defence Force |
Reserve of Men (First Line) |
Reserve of Men (An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil) |
Reserve of Men (An Slua Muirí) |
|
31/3/53 |
1,031 |
643 |
1,259 |
28 |
|
31/3/54 |
757 |
209 |
1,272 |
22 |
|
31/3/55 |
636 |
188 |
1,245 |
53 |
|
31/3/56 |
642 |
197 |
1,240 |
22 |