Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.

David Stanton

Question:

140 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of applications for membership of the Defence Forces awaiting action; the cost of the advertising campaign for membership of the Defence Forces; the projected cost of this campaign for each person to be recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7768/02]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

As I advised the Deputy in reply to a Question last Tuesday, 26 February 2002, I launched the 2002 recruitment campaign on 12 February 2002. It is envisaged that up to 800 general service recruits will be enlisted to the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service during 2002. In addition to general service recruits it is envisaged that there will a requirement for approximately 60 cadets and 40 Air Corps apprentices, along with direct entry personnel such as doctors, dentists, dental assistants, naval bridge watch keepers, naval marine engineers, naval engine room artificers, naval electricians, ordnance corps officers naval electrical engineers and instrumentalists for the Army school of music.

At present applications for general service enlistment are being processed and interviews, medical examinations and physical fitness tests are ongoing and will continue throughout the year to select suitable applicants for enlistment to the Permanent Defence Force.

The closing date for the cadetship competition, 2002 was 22 February 2002 and the applications received for it and direct entry competitions are also currently being processed.

The present cross media campaign promoting the image of the Defence Forces as a possible career together with advertisements for general service recruitment, for the cadetship competition, Air Corps apprenticeship competition, along with additional advertising for the recruitment of specialists will cost up to €2.5 million over the period up to the end of 2003.