Emmet Stagg
Ceist:45 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to increase the number of officers from the ranks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26197/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.
I fully support the principle of commissioning suitably qualified non-commissioned personnel in all areas of the Defence Forces.
Non-commissioned personnel who attain particular specialist or degree qualifications may be appointed to commissioned rank to fill vacancies in areas in which they are qualified provided that they satisfy an interview board as to their suitability. It is the policy that the filling of such vacancies by commissioning enlisted personnel be given first consideration.
In 1998 two non-commissioned personnel were commissioned as air traffic control officers in the Air Corps. Two non-commissioned Naval Service personnel were commissioned as electrical engineer officers in the Naval Service on 3 November 1999. A competition for suitably qualified non-commissioned personnel to be commissioned as officers in the information technology area of the Defence Forces was recently completed and the successful candidates will be appointed shortly.
A potential officers course for 15 Army-Air Corps personnel commenced on 13 September last and is due to be completed in July 2000. Successful candidates will then be commissioned as officers. A similar course for the commissioning of ten Naval Service personnel as watchkeeping officers has also recently been advertised and applications are currently being assessed. It is the intention of the Naval Service that this course will commence in January 2000.