Vol. 494 No. 3
5 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the interaction, if any, which exists between the Naval Service and education and training bodies outside of the Defence Forces; the plans, if any, his Department has to develop links further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18209/98]
For the purpose of education and training, the Naval Service currently avails of courses at the following institutions: NUI Galway, Dublin Institute of Technology, Cork Institute of Technology and FÁS. Certain specialist courses are also attended from time to time by the Naval Service at British Royal Navy colleges. In addition, courses are provided by the Garda Síochána and Customs and Excise officers in respect of drugs interdiction.
Attendance at educational courses by Naval Service personnel is kept under constant review so that the best possible opportunities in terms of education and training are made available to members of the service. On the question of interaction with educational establishments, a naval officer delivers a number of lectures on fishery conservation and protection at NUI Cork on an annual basis at the request of that college.
The Cork Institute of Technology — CIT — commissioned a study by consultants, Deloitte and Touche, some time ago concerning the possible establishment of a joint Naval Service/CIT national maritime college to be located on a site owned by my Department adjacent to the naval base in Haulbowline. The question of the provision of such a college is a matter for the Department of Education and Science in the first instance. This proposal has most recently been considered, along with a range of other issues, by the ministerial task force on seafarer training and employment, which was established in February of this year by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources. The task force, which includes a representative from the Department of Education and Science, has submitted an interim report and is due to submit a final report shortly. My Department will consider whatever recommendations emerge from the work of the task force in so far as they might relate to the establishment of a national maritime college as proposed.
I thank the Minister for his reply.
However, as an island nation, does he believe that Ireland should be at the forefront in terms of developing seafaring skills? I note the involvement of the Cork Institute of Technology in this process and I welcome the proposal which has been put forward. What is the Minister's view on the proposal? Is he in favour of it? The Departments of Education and Science and the Marine and Natural Resources seem to be at the forefront on this issue.
I am concerned about the Navy. I note that 50 personnel were enlisted earlier this year but only 42 of them remain. There has been a haemorrhage of personnel out of the Naval Service because of a lack of career and training opportunities. Will the Minister push for the establishment of a college of excellence in seafaring in Cork and ensure that the Naval Service plays a major role in that college?
Problems involving people leaving the Naval Service are consequential on the number and range of alternative opportunities developing throughout the country. We must face down these problems. It is not a bad thing that so many alternative opportunities are becoming available. The Deputy will appreciate that recruitment to the Navy in the past 18 months has been quite successful. Recruitment of a further 70 personnel will be advertised in the near future. There have been a number of promotions from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Commander, a number of personnel have been promoted to NCO, 13 cadets have joined the service and a number of vacancies for apprenticeships will be advertised shortly. We are addressing the recruitment needs as quickly as possible. I appreciate that difficulties arise as staff leave and we are trying to fill those gaps, bearing in mind that people must be allowed to leave the service from time to time.
With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, I am particularly interested in the development of seafaring and advanced training facilities. In the past I stated that, on a number of occasions, we have ignored the potential resources of the sea. I will support an agreed proposal between the Departments of the Marine and Natural Resources and Education and Science if it is envisaged that it will enhance current facilities. If that proposal goes through, Cork is the only location I see for them.
This year one fifth of those who joined the Navy have left. A total of 52 personnel were enlisted and of these 42 are still serving. An extra £1 per hour for the sea faring allowance is not acceptable. There are people in the Navy who want to take up apprenticeships but cannot because they are barred on the grounds of age.
Will the Minister consider changing the regulations to allow them to take on apprenticeships? Serving personnel want to stay in the Navy and advance themselves. Because they are more than 22 years they cannot avail of the courses although they are loyal and proven. I thank the Minister for his reply on the seafaring college.
Training facilities must be reviewed constantly because of the changing requirements for the naval force as a whole, some of which have been significant in recent years. There have been significant developments in terms of promotions this year. This involved training so that people were ready to take up promotions. I am not aware of the case to which the Deputy referred. There is ongoing recruitment but, equally, there is a constant haemorrhage, which is associated with the alternative job opportunities available in the economy generally. We have succeeded in increasing the patrol allowance which representative associations recommend to their members.
