Dick Spring
Ceist:241 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Defence if he will have a recruitment campaign for the Defence Forces in 2002; and, if so, the expected level of new recruitment. [1714/02]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.
The White Paper sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising of 930 for the Air Corps; 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. In addition, there is provision for up to 250 recruits in training. I propose to maintain the established Government policy of continuous recruitment to the Defence Forces in the year 2002, to fill vacancies as required.
More than 3,000 general service recruits were enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force from 1997 up to the end of 2001. I will launch the 2002 recruitment campaign next month and this will be followed by a media advertising campaign consisting of radio, press and television advertising. Careers in the Defence Forces will also be promoted throughout the country with activities such as military displays, visits to schools to promote careers in the Defence Forces and the distribution of information leaflets and booklets to schools and FÁS offices.