Vol. 448 No. 6
228 Mr. Mulvihill asked the Minister for Defence when he intends to have arrangements made to recommence recruitment to the Naval Service in view of the fact that there are five of the seven ships tied up at the naval base due to a shortage of personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2612/95]
The position is that all seven ships of the Naval Service are manned and available for operational duties. Eighty recruits were enlisted in the Naval Service in 1994 and there will be a further intake of recruits this year.
229 Mr. Mulvihill asked the Minister for Defence when he intends to have arrangements made to recruit women to the non-commissioned ranks of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2614/95]
The 1994 competition for cadetships in the Naval Service was open to women for the first time and, although three places were reserved specifically for women, unfortunately there were no females among the suitable candidates. It was envisaged that the induction of female cadets would be the first stage of a planned programme to open all appointments in the Naval Service to females. In that regard it was proposed that the recruitment of female ratings would commence when female officers were qualified to take up appointments aboard ship. In view of the fact that no female cadets were recruited in 1994, the programme is being reviewed.
