Vol. 498 No. 2
93 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence the number of women who are officers and other ranks in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the proportion of the overall number this represents in each case; the plans, if any, there are to increase the number of female personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26731/98]
122 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Defence the steps, if any, he has taken to encourage the increased participation of women in the Defence Forces to fulfil the commitment made in An Action Programme for the Millennium. [17894/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 122 together.
The number of women in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are shown in a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
Women are eligible for service in the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service and in the Reserve Defence Force and to compete for all appointments on an equal basis and under the same general conditions as those which apply to men. All female personnel undergo the same training and receive the same military education as their male counterparts.
In order to encourage increased participation by women in the Defence Forces I decided earlier this year to reduce the height requirement for all female recruits to 5'4".
Women in Permanent Defence Force — 30 September 1998.
|
Females Army |
Total Army |
Females Naval Service |
Total Naval Service |
Females Air Corps |
Total Air Corps |
|
|
Officers |
51 |
1,096 |
2 |
123 |
3 |
129 |
|
Non-Commissioned Ranks |
232 |
8,510 |
2 |
867 |
12 |
866 |
94 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the proposals, if any, he has to change the job description for new cadets in the Defence Forces; the status of these proposals; and whether there is agreement on them from the representative associations. [12964/98]
The conditions of service for cadets are currently under review and the representative association is being consulted in the matter.
