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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Jun 1970

Vol. 247 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Military and Civilian Staffs.

77.

asked the Minister for Defence the number of men and officers in the armed forces for June 1969 and June 1970; and the number of civil servants in his Department at those dates.

The total number of personnel in the Defence Forces as at 31st May 1969 was 29,688 and at 31st May 1970, 29,219. The number of civil servants in my Department on these dates was 503 and 502 respectively.

Only about one-half of these civil servants are engaged, in an administrative and clerical capacity, in dealing with the Defence Forces. The balance comprises the staff dealing with civil defence, pensions and allied matters, the establishment section and nonclerical classes such as messengers and cleaners.

78.

asked the Minister for Defence the number of men in the Irish Naval Service for June 1969 and June 1970; what is the breakdown of these men according to rank; and the estimated number of civil servants who administered the Irish Naval Service.

The number of personnel serving in the Naval Service as at 31st May 1969 was 405 and at 31st May 1970, 367.

As the reply to the second part of the question is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to circulate it with the Official Report. It would not be practicable to segregate the number of civil servants in my Department dealing with the affairs of the Naval Service.

Following is the statement:

STRENGTH of the Naval Service by ranks as at 31st May 1969 and 31st May 1970.

OFFICERS

Rank

31st May 1969

31st May 1970

Captain

1

1

Commander

3

3

Lieutenant-Commander

13

12

Lieutenant

13

16

Sub-Lieutenant

3

TOTAL

33

32

MEN

Rank

31st May 1969

31st May 1970

Warrant Officer

3

3

Senior Chief Petty Officer

1

1

Chief Petty Officer

28

29

Senior Petty Officer

2

3

Petty Officer

60

55

Leading Seaman

58

71

Seaman

218

169

Cadet

2

4

TOTAL

372

335

Many of the Defence personnel have to retire comparatively early in life. Would the Minister not agree with me that a great deal of economy in the use of civil servants could be made in his Department by transferring, when they come towards resignation age, officers from the Defence Force to this work? It would prepare them for civilian life.

That is a separate matter.

It arises out of the numbers.

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