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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Jul 2003

Vol. 570 No. 3

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.

Billy Timmins

Question:

130 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Defence Forces use specified tests provided by SHL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19057/03]

Billy Timmins

Question:

131 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the other tests, similar to those provided by SHL, which have been used in recruitment by the Defence Forces since 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19058/03]

Billy Timmins

Question:

132 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence if the tender process for the supply of psychological tests for recruitment to the Defence Forces met the required criteria, in view of the fact that providers of similar tests may have been excluded due to the specifications requirement; the reason these exact specifications were required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19059/03]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 to 132, inclusive, together.

The use of psychologists in the recruitment of cadets is necessary because the Defence Forces cadetship selection process includes psychometric tests and only registered persons may use such aptitude tests, interest inventories and personality questionnaires. Applicants had to be licensed by Saville and Holdsworth Limited, SHL, as the Army and Naval Service use specified tests produced by SHL and it is a requirement of SHL that they are so licensed.

The Defence Forces invited tenders for the supply of products and services to support the Army and Naval Service cadetship recruitment process for 2003. The advertisement specified that the successful tender was required to meet and fulfil certain criteria. It was necessary to specify in the tendering process the psychometric test instruments to be supplied as a validation study of the selection process is ongoing and a change to a new test instrument would not have been conducive to the completion of the study.
I am satisfied that the tender process met the required criteria.
The full lists of tests which have been used in recruitment by the Defence Forces since 1989 are as follows:–
Air Corps Cadet selection (since 1990):–
(i) MTS3 Mechanical Reasoning Test,
(ii) Gatb 1 and Gatb 2 which measure numerical, verbal, spatial, general intelligence and perception,
(iii) Watson Glaser which measures critical thinking analysis
(iv) Psychomotor measuring hand-eye-foot co-ordination,
(v) Instrument Interpretation tests based on the principals of flight
(vi) 16PF Personality Questionnaire.
Naval Service Cadets (since 1989 to 1999):–
(i) MTS3 Mechanical Reasoning Test,
(ii) Gatb 1 and Gatb 2 which measures numerical, verbal, spatial, general intelligence and perception,
(iii) Watson Glaser which measures critical thinking analysis,
(iv) 16PF Personality Questionnaire.
Army and Naval Service Cadet Selection (2000 to date):–
(i) Numerical Critical Reasoning 2,
(ii) Verbal Critical Reasoning 2,
(iii) Diagrammatic Reasoning 6,
(iv) Occupational Personality Questionnaire 32i.
All of the above mentioned tests are psychometric and psychomotor in nature.
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