asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces and the Naval Service in each of the main categories for each of the years 1974, 1975, 1976 and the estimated number for 1977.
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Strength.
The strengths by rank of the Defence Forces are indicated hereunder as on the dates shown.
Permanent Defence Force (including Air Corps and Naval Service).
31st December 1974 |
31st December 1975 |
31st December 1976 |
31 July 1977 |
|
OFFICERS |
||||
Major-General |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
Colonel |
37 |
37 |
36 |
37 |
Lieutenant-Colonel |
103 |
107 |
113 |
122 |
Commandant |
364 |
380 |
398 |
406 |
Captain |
377 |
395 |
405 |
370 |
Lieutenant |
165 |
195 |
257 |
275 |
Second-Lieutenant |
187 |
208 |
180 |
164 |
TOTAL |
1,234 |
1,323 |
1,391 |
1,376 |
OTHER RANKS |
||||
Cadet |
156 |
137 |
135 |
141 |
Sergeant-Major |
37 |
37 |
38 |
38 |
Battalion Quartermaster-Sergeant |
45 |
43 |
42 |
44 |
Company Sergeant |
178 |
187 |
187 |
196 |
Company Quartermaster-Sergeant |
319 |
319 |
315 |
325 |
Sergeant |
1,209 |
1,289 |
1,328 |
1,408 |
Corporal |
1,698 |
1,985 |
2,247 |
2,363 |
Private |
6,726 |
8,333 |
8,979 |
8,880 |
TOTAL |
10,368 |
12,330 |
13,271 |
13,395 |
TOTAL STRENGTH OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE |
11,602 |
13,653 |
14,662 |
14,771 |
Reserve Defence Forces (effective strengths)—not readily available by ranks
31st December 1974 |
31st December 1975 |
31st December 1976 |
31st July 1977 |
|
Reserve of Officers (First Line) |
183 |
170 |
140 |
135 |
Reserve of Men (First Line) |
529 |
462 |
376 |
349 |
Reserve (An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí) Officers |
685 |
659 |
653 |
646 |
Other Ranks |
17,155 |
18,127 |
18,689 |
18,214 |
TOTAL |
17,840 |
18,786 |
19,342 |
18,860 |
TOTAL STRENGTH OF THE RESERVES. |
18,552 |
19,418 |
19,858 |
19,344 |