Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy that promotion prospects are extremely limited. The figures clearly show that to be the case and they do not lie. The last such course which would enable enlisted personnel to become officers took place in 2000. It is the intention that as part and parcel of the integrated personnel management system those competitions will take place regularly. I do not wish to go into further detail given that discussions are ongoing with representative associations and I do not wish to pre-empt anything. It is my intention that the career paths and opportunities for enlisted personnel to get to officer level will be considerably enhanced. This is one result of the integrated personnel management system that we are trying to introduce.

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