Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:12 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of recruits taken into the Permanent Defence Force since the beginning of 1990.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Permanent Defence Force Numbers.
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:29 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Defence the total number of serving members in (a) the Army (b) the Air Corps and (c) the Naval Service at the latest date for which figures are available; the way in which these compare in each case with the establishment levels; when it is planned to bring numbers up to establishment level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 12 and 29 together.
The establishment and strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 March 1990 were as follows:
|
Establishment |
Strength |
|
|
Army |
15,475 |
11,415 |
|
Air Corps |
1,237 |
812 |
|
Naval Service |
1,266 |
976 |
A total of 498 recruits have been enlisted for general service in the force since 1 January 1990, and arrangements are in hand for the enlistment of up to 500 further recruits during the remainder of the year. The strength of the Permanent Defence Force is kept under constant review in the context of military requirements and overall budgetary constraints.
As I have indicated in replying to Dáil Question No. 21 on 8 March 1990, the establishment figure is to a large extent a notional concept and is not directly related to present day requirements. In that regard I am having the present military structure reviewed in order to bring the establishment figure more into line with a realistic strength position.
I did not hear the figures for the number taken in this year.
Since 1 January this year there have been 498 recruits and there are arrangements in hand for another 500 during the remainder of the year.
Are people who were not called in the first draft but who were interviewed kept on a panel for further drafting or will new interviews be held?
They are kept on a panel for next year's intake as we hope to do this on a yearly basis.
Is it unlikely that there will be any further interviews this year?
A further 500 recruits will be called this year.
I understand a very large number of people applied in the original stages and that only 400 or so have been taken in and placed on a panel. Do they block all possibilities for the remainder of this year?
The 500 recruits for the remainder of this year will be taken from the panel.
The Minister said that 498 recruits were called this year. Why was the full figure of 500 not reached? Several thousand people are clamouring to get into the Army and I am curious as to why the Minister has not called the final two.
I will check that but it is a frivolous question.
I am not being frivolous. The Minister told us that he is currently reviewing the present military structures with a view to streamlining them so that they will be able to meet modern needs. May I ask him who is undertaking this review and what are their terms of reference? Does it involve, for example, a scaling back on the number of barracks or, more particularly, a reduction in the present establishment figures?
It will involve a reduction in what is an unreal establishment figure. It will also involve a much more mobile type Defence Forces organisation which is less barrack centred and more mobile, with higher mechanisation and mobility. All these trends started in the current year's expenditure where we have concentrated on the purchase of equipment and mechanised vehicles to a very large extent and the closing of Collins Barracks in Dublin which was superfluous to requirements. We are moving in the direction of having more responsive and mobile Armed Forces. This cannot be done overnight but, broadly speaking, that is the concept.
Who is undertaking the review?
The Army authorities are undertaking the review at present. I can get more information for the Deputy on the present state of their investigations but I hope to have a report from them within a matter of months.
With regard to female recruits, will the Minister confirm that ten places only were allocated this year to the Eastern Command and that five of these were designated for the equestrian school? May I ask the Minister what provision he is making for the recruitment of additional female recruits this year? The number of recruits for this year is totally unacceptable.
Thirty female recruits will be enlisted during May. These recruits are included in the further 500 I spoke about. The Deputy is very much on the ball.
I am, but——
Can we proceed to another question?