Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The main focus for 2015 will be the implementation of a targeted recruitment programme to fill key civilian vacancies that have arisen in recent years. The principal areas where the recruitment of civilian employees is planned to take place are as follows. The central medical unit needs specialist staff, for example, physiotherapists and psychologists to provide the necessary services to military personnel. In the naval base at Haulbowline, there is an apprenticeship programme with four posts to provide training in specialist ship maintenance service. Craft workers are required to fill essential vacancies arising in military workshops. Much practical work is required in terms of maintenance and development of barracks and at the naval base in Haulbowline that does not necessarily require military personnel and can be done by civilian staff. The same argument is made for An Garda Síochána. This frees up soldiers to do the work they have been trained to do.