Vol. 494 No. 3
179 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of civilian personnel employed in the naval dockyard in Haulbowline, County Cork; whether vacancies currently exist; if so, if he will list these vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18136/98]
There are some 102 civilian employees employed in the naval dockyard. These largely comprise craftsmen and general operatives, although there are also a number of stores and clerical staff included within this total figure. There is no fixed number of such civilian employments established either at the naval dockyard or at other military establishments. Civilian employees are recruited from time to time for service with various military units/locations in the light of their relative priorities and needs. No net increase to the dockyard civilian complement is proposed in the immediate future.
It should be noted that civilian employees are typically engaged to free military manpower from mainly civilian tasks, or in areas where there is a specialist or technical need which is best addressed through the employment of civilians.
180 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the last date when civilian apprentices were recruited in the naval dockyard; the number of civilian apprentices at that date; whether civilian apprentices are currently engaged; the plans, if any, he has to engage civilian apprentices in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18137/98]
Civilian apprentices were last recruited into the naval dockyard in 1981, when a total of three were recruited, bringing the then number of civilian apprentices in the dockyard to 15 in all. There are no civilian apprentices employed in the naval dockyard at present. The question of a renewal of the former policy of recruitment and employment of civilian apprentices at the naval dockyard is under review by the Naval Service authorities at the present time.
181 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence whether the Naval Service has had to use side scan sonar in the past 12 months; if so, the circumstances of its use; whether the Naval Service has side scan sonar as an integral part of its equipment; if not, the way in which it avails of the side scan sonar if required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18138/98]
The Naval Service is not equipped with a side scan sonar. A side scan sonar was deployed by a Naval Service vessel in the search for the vessel “The Carrickatine” in 1995-96. This was supplied by the Irish Marine Emergency Service which hired the equipment.
182 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence whether the Naval Service had to use a magnetometer at any time in the last 12 months; if so, the circumstances in which it was used; whether the Naval Service is equipped with a magnetometer; if not, the way in which the service avails of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18139/98]
The Naval Service is not equipped with a magnetometer. A magnetometer was deployed by Naval Service vessels in the search for the vessel “The Carrickatine” in 1995-96. This was supplied by the Irish Marine Emergency Service which hired the equipment.
183 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence whether the Naval Service is equipped with a remote observation vehicle for undersea use; whether it had to use such a device at any period in the past 12 months; if so, the circumstances in which such a device was used, or may be used, by the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18140/98]
The Naval Service is not equipped with a remote observation vehicle for underwater use and has not had to use one in the past 12 months. A remotely operated vehicle was deployed by an Irish Lights Vessel during the search for the vessel “The Carrickatine“ in 1995-96 and Naval Service personnel assisted with its operation.
