Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Oct 1997

Vol. 480 No. 8

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

11 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to attract more young people into the FCA, Civil Defence and An Slua Muirí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15152/97]

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

22 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if he will put in place an expanded role for the FCA in both urban and rural communities as part of the nation's response to criminality and terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15137/97]

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

43 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the current number of members in Slua Muirí; their range of activities; the current recruitment level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15147/97]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

50 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence the reason that only males are recruited into An Slua Muirí; the action, if any, he intends to take to redress the gender deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15149/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 22, 43, 50, 52 and 53 together.

The strength of the FCA and An Slua Muirí as at 30 June 1997 the latest date for which figures have been compiled was 14,638 and 369, respectively. Recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force is ongoing and continuous at local level to replace wastage. Recruitment of new members includes visits to schools on a regular basis and local advertising. The Defence Forces are concerned at all times to recruit active, young people with a view to keeping strengths at appropriate levels and introducing young people to military discipline and, indeed, preparing those who may be interested for enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force.

With regard to female members of An Slua Muirí, the position is that the necessary administrative and logistical infrastructure is being put in place to allow for the recruitment of female personnel. As these arrangements are now nearing completion it is anticipated that recruitment of female personnel to An Slua Muirí will commence in the near future.

The activities of the FCA range from normal military training, ceremonial duties and the performance of security duties. Military training involves weekly parades, weekend camps, attendance for full-time annual training and courses of instruction. The designated role of An Slua Muirí is to assist the Naval Service in seaward defence, port control and examination of vessels and provision of a signal and communications service for seaward defence. However, their training is in the areas of port control exercises, the boarding of ships and the operation of the naval base as well as attendance at annual training and courses of instruction. There is now no emphasis on seaward defence.

The role and reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force is comprehended by the restructuring and reorganisation of the Defence Forces that is taking place at present. The current emphasis, however, is on the reorganisation of the Permanent Defence Force. The Defence Forces review implementation plan provides for a special review of the Reserve Defence Force to be undertaken during the course of the plan, 1996-97. A considerable amount of preliminary work connected with this review has already taken place. The review itself is expected to commence shortly. The question of establishing new units of the reserve, including any proposals in that regard relating to the Air Corps, will be considered in that context.

Primary responsibility for law enforcement within the State rests with the Garda Síochána. However, when assistance is requested by the Garda the Permanent Defence Force provides such assistance.

In the case of Civil Defence local authorities are responsible for recruitment as and when vacancies arise. Posters and literature are displayed in churches, schools and youth clubs to encourage new membership.