asked the Minister for Defence (a) the total strength of the FCA and (b) the cost to the State.
48.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Strength and Cost of Defence Forces.
47.
asked the Minister for Defence (a) the total strength of the Army and (b) the cost to the State.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together. The total effective strengths of the Permanent Defence Force, including the Naval Service and the Army Nursing Service, and An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil as on 31st January, 1966, were 8,396 and 18,017 respectively.
The elements which go to make up the total cost to the State of the Permanent Defence Force and An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, apart from the cost of pay and allowances, include such items as food, clothing, accommodation, transport, equipment, medical treatment, insurance, civil service staffs and civilians employed with the Defence Forces. It would not be feasible to isolate these various elements and cost them for each force. The Deputy may, however, obtain details which would be of assistance to him by referring to the Estimates for Defence for the current financial year.
In view of the excellent service being given to the nation by the FCA and in view of the adverse effect of the recent ruling the Minister has made in regard to training would he not reconsider his decision and allow those people to go for the two weeks' training?
That is a separate question.
We shall ask it again.