asked the Minister for Defence the number of recruits he intends to take into the Defence Forces next year; and the number of members of the Defence Forces who have left (a) to date in 1989 and (b) for each of the preceding three years.

20.

asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to launch a recruitment campaign to the Defence Forces in 1990; if so, the number of recruits who will be allocated to each of the three sections of the Defence Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

30.

asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to recruit additional personnel for the armed forces in 1990; the optimum strength of each branch of the Defence Forces in his view; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

36.

asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline his proposals for recruitment to the Defence Forces during 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

38.

asked the Minister for Defence whether the reports of 9 November 1989 regarding recruitment to the Defence Forces are correct; and, if so, if he will give details of same.

55.

asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans to recommence recruitment in the Permanent Defence Force; the number by rank that have left the Force over the past five years; the number of replacements by rank for the same period; and the number of (a) officers (b) non-commissioned officers and (c) privates on overseas duties; and their location.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 20, 30, 36, 38 and 55 together. As recently announced, there will be an intake of up to 1,000 recruits for the Permanent Defence Force in 1990. It is proposed to have an initial intake of 350 recruits in January, to be distributed as follows: Army, 280; Naval Service, 40; and Air Corps, 30.

Up to 650 recruits are expected to be taken on during the remaining months of the year, the approximate distribution to be as follows: Army, 580; Naval Service, 60; and Air Corps, 10. The strength of the Permanent Defence Force is kept under constant review in the light of military requirements and the overall budgetary situation.

The statistical information regarding wastage and recruitment figures for the Permanent Defence Force is outlined in the schedule which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

On 1 October, 1989, the number of personnel serving overseas was 862 comprising 143 officers, 312 non-commissioned officers and 407 privates. The breakdown by location is as follows:

Wastage and Recruitment figures for the Permanent Defence Force for years 1985 — 1988 inclusive and up to 30 September 1989.

(a) Wastage

(b) Recruitment

I welcome the Minister and wish him well on his first day answering questions in this capacity. Would the Minister consider giving preference to members of the FCA and the Slua Mhuirí when he is recruiting?

These factors are always taken into consideration as very appropriate criteria.

I join other Members in wishing the Minister well in his new portfolio. I assure him of our full support and I am relieved that at last we are able to get some positive answers to questions about the Defence Forces. I thank the Minister for that. I welcome the new recruitment policy which will provide a better opportunity for planning the structure of the Defence Forces. Will the Minister ensure maximum recruitment in the Border areas to the 27th, 28th and 29th Battalions who have to carry the main brunt of security duties?

In all probability that will be the case. I appreciate that they carry the major brunt, which is the cross-Border security effort. It is carried largely by the recruits from the area mentioned by the Deputy. I am certain the Army authorities are aware of it but I will bring it to their attention again.

Could the Minister say by what number the 1,000 recruits intended to be taken in next year will exceed the number of people leaving the Defence Forces for one reason or another?

Wastage is a variable factor. There was a period when personnel were leaving, but the position now seems to have stabilised. There is the normal age wastage but I presume the Deputy is referring to other wastage. It appears to have stabilised.

The Minister must have the figure for last year in his statistical reply.

The figure for 1988 was 1,029 while in 1987 it was 1,033. In 1986 and 1985 the figures were 895 and 856 respectively.

There was rising wastage between 1985 and 1988 but it has diminished in 1989, for which the figure is 608.

There may be no increase at all next year.

It is the reverse. Wastage is going down.

If we take the average figure over the past four years, there will be no increase.

We are maintaining the level of strength, which is the same last year as this year, give or take a couple of hundred. We have maintained stability but we hope to increase numbers next year. If the trend towards diminution in wastage which has been showing in the latter part of this year is maintained we should be into a plus situation in 1990 after this recruitment.

By taking in 1,000?

Wastage in 1989 is down to 608.

What about the previous year?

I welcome moves in this regard. If I omitted to say it earlier, I welcome the Minister in his new portfolio and wish him well. While we welcome the report, it will not deal with the problem. Soldiers are having to work up to 80 hours a week due to under-staffing. The Minister's proposal will not come near to resolving those difficulties. The family life of soldiers is being affected because of under-staffing.

Let us avoid statements.

Acknowledging the role of the soldier and the staff shortage, will the Minister give a commitment to try to increase their salary as well?

I have covered that ground.

How many of the 1,000 recruits will be women?

There will be a percentage of women in various sectors of the Defence Forces. I have not the details but I can get them for the Deputy. There is no question about the fact that women will be recruited.

A final question from Deputy McGrath.

May I ask——

We have had a lot of questions on these matters and I have dwelt overlong on them. Perhaps the Deputy would be brief.

I welcome the change of policy in regard to women. Does the Minister intend building into the intake of recruits any policy of positive discrimination in favour of areas of unemployment, recognising this as a major step forward in offering jobs in the Defence Forces? Has the Minister any policy of ensuring discrimination in favour of areas of unemployment, particularly in urban Dublin?

The urban area of Dublin will be a major recruitment area anyway. The Deputy is aware of that. Military criteria will be the primary consideration. Capacity for a soldier's way of life will be the important aspect.

I, too, wish to congratulate the Minister, coming from Longford-Westmeath which I am sure is a constituency dear to his heart. The recently published Book of Estimates shows a 12 per cent increase for salaries of military personnel. Does the Minister envisage a Supplementary Estimate to pay for the 1,000 recruits or is it intended that they should be covered in the Estimate already published? If so, how will he facilitate any rise in salary as a result of the report of the commission?

Any rise in salary that may be consequent on the commission's report is a matter for the future. The recruitment is covered in the current Book of Estimates. That decision is part of a budgetary programme. As regards whatever the Commission may recommend, sin ceist eile.

In the course of the recruitment campaign, will any special consideration be given to former members of the Defence Forces who may apply to re-enlist, having been forced out through economic circumstances in the past few years?

They will be judged on their merits.