Brian O'Shea
Ceist:43 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence the situation regarding the ten teachers who were employed at the Army Apprentice School, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Army Apprentice School.
Ceist:
63 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Defence if the 28 apprentices previously stationed in the Army Apprentice School in Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare, have all been satisfactorily accommodated in the Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22957/98]
Alan M. Dukes
Ceist:72 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, made for accommodating apprentices who were formerly studying in Naas, County Kildare, who must move to the Curragh; and the impact on the Defence Force specialist staff who are working in the Curragh already. [22745/98]
Jack Wall
Ceist:122 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the discussions his Department is conducting with the Department of Education and Science regarding the future of Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22952/98]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:146 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, made to accommodate apprentices who were formerly studying in Naas, County Kildare, who must now move to the Curragh; and the impact on the Defence Forces specialist staff who are currently working in the Curragh. [22765/98]
Seán Power
Ceist:153 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by teachers and trainees following the transfer of the Army Apprentice School from Devoy Barracks, Naas, to The Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23028/98]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:157 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the personnel previously deployed in various capacities at Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23147/98]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:168 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of Army apprentices in training in the Army apprentices' schools in the Curragh, County Kildare; the maximum number that can be accommodated at the existing facility; the maximum number that could have been accommodated at Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23158/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 63, 72, 122, 146, 153, 157 and 168 together.
It is the intention to complete the training of the existing 28 apprentices at the Curragh Camp. The apprentices have already been accommodated at the Curragh Camp and are undergoing on the job training. Discussions are taking place with the civilian teachers with a view to moving them to the Curragh to complete the off the job training of the apprentices.
At the height of its operations the Army Apprentice School accommodated up to 180 apprentices but the need to recruit apprentices has reduced considerably in recent years. Accordingly, the facilities being provided at the Curragh Camp are to accommodate the current number of apprentices and will be used in the longer term as general training facilities.
Military personnel previously based at Devoy Barracks, Naas, have already relocated to the Curragh Camp, and some of these personnel continue to be involved in the training of the apprentices.
Some discussions were held with the Department of Education and Science regarding the possible use of Devoy Barracks for apprentice training by the Department. I understand that it was not considered by that Department to be a feasible option and that these discussions have accordingly been concluded.