asked the Minister for Defence the number and rank of Army personnel who will retire on reaching the age limit or who will complete their contracted periods of service before 31st December next; and the steps being taken to replace them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Retirement.
87.
As the information required by the Deputy in the first part of the question is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to have it circulated in the Official Report.
With regard to 3 of the statement, it is estimated that approximately 90 per cent of those above the rank of Corporal and approximately 70 per cent of the remainder will continue in service after the 31st December next. Accordingly, the question of replacement will not arise in the case of most of the personnel to whom the statement refers. So far as replacement of officers is concerned, I anticipate that a further competition for cadetships will be held this year and as regards men, recruitment will be undertaken as necessary to maintain the strength at whatever figure may be provided for in the Vote for Defence for 1966-67
Following is the statement:
1. OFFICERS of na Buan-Óglaigh (including An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh) who will retire on age grounds before 31/12/66
|
Rank |
Cornal |
Lefteanant-Chornal |
Ceannfort |
Captaen |
Total |
|
Number |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
2. MEN of na Buan-Óglaigh (including An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh) who will be discharged on reaching the age-limit before 31/12/66.
|
Rank |
Maor-Sháirsint |
Sáirsint Complachta |
Ceathrú-Sháirsint Complachta |
Sáirsint |
Ceannaire |
Total |
|
Number |
2 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
4 |
17 |
3. MEN of na Buan-Óglaigh (including An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh) whose engagements will expire before 31/12/66.
|
Rank |
Maor-Sháirsint |
Ceathrú-Sháirsint Cathláin |
Sáirsint Complachta |
CeathrúSháirsint Sáirsint Complachta |
Sáirsint |
Ceannaire |
Saighdiúir Singil |
Total |
|
Number |
13 |
9 |
45 |
88 |
219 |
265 |
848 |
1,487 |
Are we to take it from the Minister now that it is not proposed to recruit any more men into the Army this year, other than cadets?
It all depends upon the reductions which take place by wastage in the Army.
If I understood the Minister's figures correctly he stated that there would be some ten per cent reduction in the Army this year.
The vote for Defence provides for an Army strength at the moment of 7,000 non-commissioned officers and men. The intention is to keep it at that.
Will any steps be taken this year? Will the Minister state now what the policy will be for the remainder of the year?
That is the policy for the present financial year.
Do not replace the men; starve them out; get rid of them—times are hard!