asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of any plans to reduce the strength of the Army and to curtail recruitment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Strength.
81.
Mr. Barrett
The Vote for Defence for the present financial year contemplates an average strength of 7,000 non-commissioned officers and privates in the Permanent Defence Force. The strenght has in recent months been rather more than this figure and in such circumstances it is a normal requirement that steps should be taken to ensure that the actual strength approximates to the figure contemplated in the Vote. For the present, therefore, it has been decided to restrict recruitment except in the case of the Naval Service and the 1st (Irish-Speaking) Battalion.
Can the Minister give us any estimate, however rough, of the number of civil servants and commissioned officers whom the Department of Defence require to direct the activities of the 7,000 recruited men?
The number of commissioned officers is, I think, a little over 1,100. I should have to inquire as to the exact number of civil servants. I shall get the information for the Deputy, if he wants it.
I am much obliged.