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]
Vol. 480 No. 8
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]
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]
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]
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]
52 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Defence if he will set up an organisation similar to the FCA and Slua Muirí attached to the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15146/97]
53 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Defence the current number of members of the FCA; their range of activities; the current recruitment level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15145/97]
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.