201 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the number of recruits which were taken into the Defence Forces in 1991; the number of serving soldiers who retired; and the number he expects to recruit in 1992.

Details of the number of personnel enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force in 1991 are as follows: 19 direct entry technicians for the naval service; 54 army apprentices; 50 air corps apprentices; 40 cadets.

One hundred and thirty NCO's and two hundred and ten privates were discharged from the Permanent Defence Force or transferred to the reserve.

Arrangements are in hand at present to enlist fifty recruits in the Naval Service. Competitions for the award of Army apprenticeships and Air Corps apprenticeships were recently advertised, while competitions for the award of cadetships in the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service will be advertised in April 1992. The question of further recruitment will be kept under review in the light of operational requirements.