Defence Forces Recruitment.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2009

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Questions (286)

David Stanton

Question:

306 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of application forms for enlistment in the Defence Forces held in each brigade; his plans in regard to these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46901/09]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)

As you are aware recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force was suspended in late 2008 pending a review of the best means by which to achieve the reduction of 3% in payroll costs that had been applied, in common with other areas of the public service, to the Defence Forces. The present position is that arising from the Government Decision on Public Service numbers, which took effect from 27 March 2009, recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force remains suspended.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that having conducted a review of the applications on hand there were concerns regarding the validity of the applicants' data due to the passage of time since the last induction of recruits to the Permanent Defence Force. The Military Authorities therefore are in the process of writing to all the individuals on their registrar of applicants for recruitment to return their forms to them and advising them that they may re-apply when recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force re-opens provided they still meet all the eligibility criteria. The process of returning the forms has already been completed in the Western Brigade and is ongoing in the other Brigade areas. Competitions for recruitment will be advertised on www.military.ie when they arise.

The number of applications for enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force, currently held by Brigades and Formations is as follows: 2 Eastern Brigade: 1,005 1 Southern Brigade: 1,049 4 Western Brigade: Nil DF Training Centre: 194 Naval Service: 218 Air Corps: 35 In my statement on the Defence Budget, I confirmed my commitment to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which I have secured Government approval in the context of Budget 2010.