asked the Minister for Defence if there are problems regarding recruitment in the Curragh Command area in view of the fact that the strength of units in the 6th Brigade are well below their establishment; if he has investigated this; and if the arduous duties undertaken by these units, such as acting as prison guards and escorts, and the grave shortage of good quality housing, are the main reasons for these problems.

The position relating to manpower in units in the 6th Brigade has been investigated by my Department and certain measures have been taken which should improve the strength position generally. In addition, steps have been taken to lessen the incidence of certain duties hitherto performed by units of this brigade. A special review of allowances in respect of duties of a security nature is nearing completion and details of the increases involved will be announced shortly.

It is planned to provide billets as part of the new Ceannt Barracks, the building of which has commenced.

Will the Minister not accept that the response to the recruitment campaign in the Curragh was very poor?

Prior to last year that was the situation but last year there was an appreciable increase in recruitment.

Will the Minister not accept that shortage of housing accommodation and long hours on duty are factors in this situation? Further, is he aware that some members of the Defence Forces are obliged to do 24 hours duty one day per week and that may be a militating factor against the recruitment campaign?

As the Deputy has said, that has been the situation over a period because of the extra security duties. This has been changed now. The Curragh Command were responsible for the security duties at Portlaoise all the time but this has now been spread throughout the Army as a whole.

A final supplementary, now.