Edward Nealon
Ceist:66 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Defence the number of new recruits taken into the Defence Forces this year to date; and the number that it is intended to recruit for the remainder of the year.
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruits.
To date this year 21 personnel have been enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force. Nineteen of these personnel were enlisted as technicians in the Naval Service, one was enlisted for general service in the Naval Service and one was assigned to the Army School of Music.
Competitions for apprenticeships in the Defence Forces have been held recently and as a result it is proposed to enlist up to 54 apprentices in the Army Apprentice School and up to 50 apprentices in the Air Corps Apprentice School in August-September 1991.
A competition is under way at present for the award of ten cadetships in the Naval Service. A competition for cadetships in the Army will be advertised in the near future.
It is envisaged that a number of appointments as specialist officers such as engineers and medical officers will be made during the course of the year.
The question of further recruitment for general service is being kept under review in the light of operational requirements.