Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 7

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Personnel.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

67 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of permanent and reserve Defence Forces; in respect of those on the reserve Defence Forces, the annual payment made to these individuals; and the total expenditure per year in this year.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Andrews)

On 3 May 1994 the strengths of the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces were as follows: Permanent Defence Force, 13,003; First-Line Reserve, 638; An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, 15,291; An Slua Muirí, 383.

Members of the First-Line Reserve are eligible to receive the following annual gratuities: Colonel/Lieutenant-Colonel/ Commandant, £392; Captain, £267; Lieutenant/Second-Lieutenant, £179; Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, £125; Sergeant/Corporal, £88; Private, £71.

Members of the FCA and Slua Muirí who attend annual training are eligible to receive gratuities amounting to £108 for sub-unit commanders, £71 for all other officers, £57 for Non-Commissioned Officers and £42 for privates. In addition such personnel will also receive a week's pay at the rate appropriate to their rank. Subhead D of the Defence Vote provides for the costs of the Reserve Defence Force and in 1994 a sum of £2,490,000 has been allocated for pay and gratuities.

Paul Bradford

Ceist:

68 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence the number of recruits, by Command, who joined the FCÁ in each of the years from 1991 to 1993; and the strength, by Command, of the FCÁ in those years.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Andrews)

The details requested by the Deputy are as follows:

Number of Personnel Enlisted in the FCÁ

Command	1991	1992	1993
Eastern	610	705	859
Southern	859	855	1,134
Western	947	986	1,085
Curragh	246	328	362
Total	2,662	2,874	3,440

CLASS="CP">Strength of FCÁ

Command	31 December 1991	31 December 1992	31 December 1993
Eastern	2,755	2,837	2,924
Southern	5,497	5,522	5,536
Western	5,095	5,113	5,096
Curragh	1,946	1,987	2,008
Total	15,293	15,459	15,564