asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel by officer, NCOs and men in An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil who received the full rate of gratuity in respect of the years 1968 to 1970 inclusive, 1978 to 1980 inclusive and 1985, 1986 and to 30 September 1987; and if he will indicate the effective strengths of An Fórsa in respect of each year mentioned.

8.

asked the Minister for Defence the strength of numbers by rank of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil as at the 30 September 1968 to 1970, inclusive, 1978 to 1980, inclusive and 1985 to 1987, inclusive; and if he will make a statement regarding the drop in effective numbers since 1968.

(Limerick West): I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 8 together.

The total amounts of gratuity paid to members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and Slúa Muiri for the years 1985, 1986 and 30 September 1987 are as follows: 1985 — £403,831; 1986 — £401,980; to 30 September, 1987 — £357,787.

Details of gratuities paid to individuals are not maintained. Figures for total amounts paid for previous years are not available.

I propose to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the strength of An Fórsa Áitiúil for the years mentioned.

STRENGTH BY RANK - AN FÓRSA COSANTA ÁITIÚIL

The drop in effective numbers since 1986 is due to normal wastage and suspension of recruitment in 1983 due to financial constraints.

Will the Minister agree that, in view of the now farcical situation of the continued one week's annual training for FCA personnel, it might be a better policy to consider the payment of a gratuity based on the hourly attendance at local parade centres?

(Limerick West): I do not so agree.

Will the Minister agree that, because of the continuing policy in relation to the recruitment to both Army and FCA, there is a substantial fall in the level of recruitment to the FCA which effectively had always been the support unit to the PDF?

(Limerick West): No more substantial than in any year.