asked the Minister for Defence the facilities for educational advancement that are available to serving members of the Defence Forces.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Educational Facilities.
2.
Apart from purely military courses, many courses of an academic and technical nature are provided for members of the Permanent Defence Force. In addition, the following facilities exist:—
(1) Army cadets who are educationally qualified to attend university are required, as part of the second year of their training, to take a formal first year degree course (in Arts, Commerce, Science or Engineering) at University College, Galway. After they become officers they may, if considered suitable, be permitted to proceed with their studies at that college towards qualifying for a degree.
(2) Members of the force who attend certain third level courses of education in their own time are, subject to certain conditions, refunded the tuition and examination fees involved.
(3) In so far as military exigencies permit, day release classes are organised for non-commissioned officers and privates to enable them to sit for the Department of Education day group certificate, the cost of fees and books being met by my Department.
(4) Non-commissioned officers and privates who have been registered with AnCO as apprentices in certain trades are assigned to trades courses at AnCO centres.
Is the Minister aware that a number of people joined the National Army as privates, now have their leaving certificate, and are not happy with the facilities provided for advancing themselves educationally? Would he accept that they are not allowed to attend regional colleges and so on in order to advance themselves, and feel they are being discriminated against vis-à-vis cadets and and other officers?
If the Deputy has particular cases in mind and provides details of them, we could bring somebody over from the Department of Defence to discuss them. I could not give an answer to that question.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary intend to give the same educational facilities to NCOs and privates? Will NCOs and privates have an opportunity of attending the university in Galway?
I would say so.
Will they be allowed to do the same course?
Provided they have the same educational qualifications.