asked the Minister for Defence the number of female personnel in (a) the Army, (b) the Air Corps and (c) the Naval Service at the latest date for which figures are available; the plans, if any, there are to increase the number of female recruits; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Female Personnel in Defence Forces.
14.
The number of female personnel in the Army on 31 May 1987, the latest date for which figures are available, was 66 all ranks. There are no females serving in either the Air Corps or the Naval Service. The strength of the Permanent Defence Force is determined from time to time in the light of military requirements and does not differentiate between male and female members. Because of the non-combatant role of female personnel, enlistment for general service has been confined to male personnel in recent times. The question of recruiting additional female personnel is reviewed periodically in the light of current strengths and commitments and in the context of prevailing financial circumstances and the overall budgetary situation.
In the first instance I will revert back to my earlier question which the Minister said he would address. Will he tell us, of the 8,316 applicants pending, how many of those are female? Can the Minister advise the House why, if there is a policy of non-differential treatment of applicants, there are to date no female recruits in the Naval Service or the Air Corps? What steps does the Minister intend to take to rectify what seems to be a discriminatory state of affairs?
I am sorry I do not have the information in regard to the number of females who are on the waiting lists.
Perhaps the Minister might let me have that information.
I will, certainly.
I would like some response to the point that there are no female recruits active in the Naval Service or the Air Corps and why that is so given that a so-called policy of non-differential treatment exists towards recruitment into the services? What steps do the Department intend to take to rectify what seems to be a very discriminatory state of affairs?
This question was raised in the House by the same Deputy in the last Dáil shortly before the Christmas recess. The then Minister for Defence outlined in the fullest detail why there are no females either in the Air Corps or the Naval Service. Quite simply, the facilities are not there for females in the Naval Service. Since that question was answered in the Dáil on the last occasion the situation has not changed in any way. I can assure the Deputy that every consideration is being given as far as female recruits are concerned.
The Minister has said nothing about the Air Corps but as far as the lack of facilities in the Naval Service is concerned, what he means is that rudimentary toilet facilities are not available to facilitate the recruitment of females.
Is that the reason for the non-recruitment of females?
I indicated in my earlier reply that as far as female personnel are concerned, they are employed mainly in a non-combatant role. That could not be applied to either the Air Corps or the Naval Service.
Surely both of those services have administrative areas of responsibility?
That is in addition to the point made by the Deputy with regard to the total absence of suitable facilities on vessels for female personnel.