Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 4

Written Answers. - Band of the Western Command.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

92 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Band of the Western Command which is based in Custume Barracks, Athlone in each of the past 15 years; the present strength and the number of recruits to this band in the past 12 months; if this band has been curtailed in performing in public due to reduced numbers; and if he will make a statement on the future of this Army band. [5163/02]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The strength of the Band of the Western Command in each of the past 15 years is as shown in the following table. The band is now designated as the Band of the 4 Western Brigade.

Band of the 4 Western Brigade

Year	Strength
1988	37
1989	37
1990	35
1991	38
1992	39
1993	39
1994	39
1995	38
1996	37
1997	34
1998	29
1999	28
2000	27
2001	18
2002	18

There was no intake of personnel to the Band of the 4 Western Brigade in 2001. The Band of the 4 Western Brigade will be allocated suitably qualified Instrumentalists as they are recruited to the Defence Forces School of Music. The Defence Forces School of Music is currently recruiting personnel, but numbers applying are small. A number of applicants are undergoing the final stages of the selection process and if successful two of these applicants will be assigned to the Band of the 4 Western Brigade.

There has been some curtailment in public performances by the band due to the current strength.