Michael Smith
Ceist:159 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Defence the number of commissioned officers in the FCA on 1 May 1996. [12032/96]
Written Answers. - FCA Officers.
The number of commissioned officers in the FCA on 1 May 1996 was 674.
Michael Smith
Ceist:160 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Defence, further to Parliamentary Question No. 281 of 2 April 1996, the particular criteria preventing the filling of FCA officer appointments as they become vacant; the steps, if any, being taken to rectify the alleged deficiencies on behalf of the candidates for those appointments or promotions; and whether he has satisfied himself with the relevance of the criteria concerned. [12033/96]
The processing of promotions for the filling of officer appointments in the FCA is continuous and ongoing. Since April 1996 six officers of the FCA have been promoted to fill vacancies.
Vacancies exist in units of the FCA for the following reasons: lack of suitably qualified technical personnel — this is particularly true of medical units; the geographical integrity of the organisation, some units have a surfeit of officers qualified for promotion and no vacancy, while others may have a number of vacancies and have no officer who, at the time, meets the laid down criteria for promotion to fill the vacancy; and the prerogative of the unit commander to decide how best to utilise his personnel resources for the betterment of the unit as a whole.
Vacancies are filled as soon as personnel who meet the necessary criteria for promotion are available. These criteria require a minimum number of years service and regular attendance at annual training. They outline skills, aptitudes and attitudes that are considered necessary for a commissioned officer of the reserve. I am satisfied that they are relevant and necessary.
Michael Smith
Ceist:161 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the FCA who were on full-time security duties on 1 May 1983; the number who enlisted or were commissioned into the Permanent Defence Force; the number of such members still serving in the Permanent Defence Force on 1 May 1996; and the estimated cost of basic pay for serving members. [12034/96]
The information sought is not readily available and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Michael Smith
Ceist:162 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Defence the reason a vacancy for a staff officer at Southern Command FCA Headquarters has not been filled since October 1992; and the number of qualified candidates currently serving in the command. [12035/96]
The vacancy for a staff officer in the Southern Command, FCA Headquarters is for a suitably qualified engineer officer who meets the requirements as laid down in Defence Force Regulations for the position. It has not been filled and currently remains vacant because a suitably qualified officer has not yet become available.