Defence Forces recruitment policy
The Minister confirmed women would be recruited, but said military criteria would guide selection rather than preference for unemployed areas; Dublin would remain a major recruitment area. Recruitment costs were covered in the current Estimates, possible commission-related pay rises remained for the future, and former service members would be assessed on merit.
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.
Comment on this
We have had a lot of questions on these matters and I have dwelt overlong on them. Perhaps the Deputy would be brief.
Comment on this
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?
Comment on this
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.
Comment on this
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?
Comment on this
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.
Comment on this
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?