Vol. 436 No. 6
17 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, that has been made to date to increase the numbers of women in the Defence Forces; and the financial resources that have been provided to date to facilitate this policy.
Apart from the Naval Service and An Slua Muirí, women are now eligible to compete for all appointments in the Defence Forces on an equal basis with men. A decision in principle has been taken to enlist women in the Naval Service as soon as the necessary practical arrangements can be put in place. I expect that there will be an initial intake of women to the Naval Service in 1994.
A total of 118 women are currently serving in the Permanent Defence Force, 47 Officers, 7 Cadates, 22 Non-Commissioned Officers and 42 Privates. There are 483 women serving in the FCA of whom 291 were recruited this year.
