asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the fact that there is at present one official employed in his Department for every 25 serving Army personnel approximately, who in turn have their own administrative system; and the proposals, if any, he has for change in these ratios.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Department of Defence Staffing.
11.
The number of personnel in the Defence Forces on 30 April, 1987 was 29,211, of whom 13,381 were serving in the Permanent Defence Force. On the same date the number of civil servants in my Department was 584, of whom about one half only are engaged in an administrative and clerical capacity in dealing with the Defence Forces. The balance comprises the staff dealing with the central purchasing of vehicles, stores etc. for other Departments, Civil Defence, pensions and allied matters, the personnel branch, and non-clerical classes such as messengers and cleaners. There is no duplication of function between the civil servants dealing with the Defence Forces and members of the Permanent Defence Force who carry out certain administrative duties.