Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Oct 1997

Vol. 480 No. 8

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

17 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence the number of women members in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the percentage of overall personnel this represents; the plans, if any, he has to facilitate the recruitment of greater numbers of women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15072/97]

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

38 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the way in which he intends to allocate the 1,500 personnel to be recruited into the Defence Forces over the next four years between the various branches of the forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15155/97]

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

42 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence the Government's policy on recruitment to the Defence Forces; the numbers expected to be recruited over each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15065/97]

Michael Bell

Ceist:

54 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the way in which the 1,500 personnel to be recruited over the next four years will affect net personnel numbers in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15156/97]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

64 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if a gender quota will be applied to the 1,500 personnel who are to be recruited over the next four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15153/97]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

66 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Defence Forces; the proposals, if any, he has for further recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15053/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 38, 42, 54, 64 and 66 together.

The strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps on 31 August 1997 was 9,230, 1,096 and 985 respectively, making a total strength of 11,311.

The female strength in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps on that date was 266, 10 and 18 respectively. These figures represent 2.88 per cent, 0.91 per cent and 1.83 per cent of the overall strength of each of the components. Overall the total female strength of the Permanent Defence Force on 31 August was 2.6 per cent.

Women are eligible for service in the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service and the Reserve Defence Force and to compete for all appointments on an equal basis and under the same conditions as those which apply to men. All female personnel undergo the same training and receive the same military education as their male counterparts. In essence the basis of selection is suitability rather than gender and there are no gender quotas.

The implementation plan of the EAG review group provides for the recruitment of 1,000 military personnel over the three year period of the plan which commenced in 1996. This plan is based on the re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force on the basis of a three brigade structure with a total strength of 11,500. The deployment of new military personnel is a matter for the military authorities based on the operational requirements of the force.

One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the efficiency audit group was the development of a personnel policy with emphasis on lowering the age profile. It is essential in order to maintain the operational effectiveness of the Defence Forces that we continue to recruit new young blood into the organisation which is essentially a young person's profession. The required reduction in the strength to 11,500 over the three years of the first phase of the plan and the lowering of the age profile, is being achieved by means of a programme of recruitment of young personnel on a continuous basis combined with a voluntary early retirement scheme.

A total of 200 personnel have been recruited in 1996 and 600 to date in 1997. Also, 46 cadetships have been awarded in 1997 and the successful candidates will commence cadet training shortly. Additionally, 17 apprenticeships will be offered this year and in this regard advertisements will be placed in the national press on 3 October 1997.