Vol. 549 No. 3
131 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of new recruits to be taken into the various branches of the Defence Forces before the end of 2002; when interviews will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6666/02]
The White Paper sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising of 930 for the Air Corps; 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. In addition, there is provision for up to 250 recruits in training. I propose to maintain the established Government policy of continuous recruitment to the Defence Forces in the year 2002, to fill vacancies as required.
I launched the 2002 recruitment campaign on 12 February 2002, and it is envisaged that up to 800 general service recruits will be enlisted to the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service during 2002 to keep the Defence Forces up to the strength set in the White Paper. Applications are currently 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. In addition to the 800 general service recruits it is expected that there will also be 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.
