Jack Wall
Ceist:55 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of the level of further education in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15143/97]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Education.
There is a wide and varied level of educational opportunities available to members of the Defence Forces which is to the benefit of the Defence Forces in general and to the individuals concerned. The object of such education is to improve the general educational standards and to improve and maintain the technical knowledge of Defence Forces members in technical orientated areas, such as ordnance, engineering, computer information, transport.
The following is an indication of the type of further education available to members of the Defence Forces: general certificate of education — is organised by the Defence Forces to encourage personnel to improve general education and is at second level education standard. It is on full-time release and is open to all ranks; junior certificate — this is available at command level on full-time release and is open to all ranks; leaving certificate — this is held in the Vocational School, Curragh Camp, County Kildare. It is on a two year full-time release basis and is available to all ranks who attain the required qualifications; Apprentice School Naas, County Kildare — apprenticeships are awared for training as mechanics, fitters, electricians, etc; third level education — this is available to commissioned officers after cadet training at various locations, including UCG, regional technical college Galway, UL and also available to a lesser extent at various locations including UCD, Bolton St., DCU, etc. Officers are also sent on technical based courses including computing, catering, etc; corps allocation of courses — technical corps within the Defence Forces send members on related areas for third level education, e.g. Bolton St., Cathal Brugha School of Catering, Maynooth — open to all ranks. Types of courses vary as needs arise; refund of fees scheme — a scheme exists to enable personnel to attend and obtain further education qualifications after hours and in their own time. Refund of fees is paid on completion of the studies having met the criteria laid down by the director of training; NCEA — NCEA certificate in military studies are presented to NCOs who have completed agreed subjects in varied military subjects. NCOs are conferred with their certificates in an awards ceremony by NCEA.