Michael Creed
Ceist:27 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to initiate separate recruitment in view of the shortage of numbers in the Army Bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17904/98]
Written Answers - Defence Forces Recruitment.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:46 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to initiate separate recruitment in view of the shortage of numbers in the Army Bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17899/98]
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:62 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to initiate separate recruitment in view of the shortage of numbers in the Army Bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17902/98]
Michael Creed
Ceist:130 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to initiate separate recruitment in view of the shortage of numbers in the Army Bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17901/98]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:158 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to initiate separate recruitment in view of the shortage of numbers in the army bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18107/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 46, 62, 130 and 158 together.
Recruitment to the Army School of Music is currently under review in the light of the recommendations of the Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan for the overall reduction in the strength of the Defence Forces.
The current strength of the Army School of Music is 140 with 15 members in the Headquarters element and 125 playing members, including four conductors. The Army No. 1 Band has 36 playing members and the Bands of the Southern Command has 30, the Western Command has 29 and the Curragh Command has 30 playing members.
Proposals for the recruitment of a limited number of instrumentalists have been made recently. These proposals are at present under consideration.