Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:37 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence when he will implement the decision announced at the recent Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis to open Army apprenticeships to women; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.
I would refer the Deputy to my answer to Questions Nos. 4 and 11 in the Dáil on 6 February last in which I stated that when a competition for apprentices is next advertised it will provide for an intake of women. It did not require the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis for that to be stated here in this House.
I will advise Deputy Rabbite of that but, in the meantime, can the Minister tell us how many female apprentices will be taken in and what accommodation arrangements are being made for them? As I understand it, to date little progress has been made in that regard.
The excuse that was made was that there was no accommodation available. I am not taking that as an excuse and I have instructed the Army authorities to make that accommodation available.
How many female apprentices is it envisaged will be recruited and where will they be deployed?
It is early days for that but when I have the information I will tell the Deputy.