Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2016
656. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will accept applications in his recruitment to the Defence Forces from students who have not completed their studies but who wish to do so and then join the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15656/16]
View answerInduction into a Cadetship in the Permanent Defence Force cannot be deferred if a candidate has not completed their studies successfully. However, applications for all categories of Cadetships are invited from persons who have applied to sit for examinations in the competition year as will enable them to satisfy the minimum educational qualifications criteria. Original documentary evidence that a candidate meets the minimum educational qualifications must be presented to the relevant Interview Board Secretary on a date as specified in the Competition Terms & Conditions.
For General Service recruitment, no formal education qualifications are required to join the Defence Forces. However, applicants must satisfy the Interview Board and the Recruiting Officer that they possess a sufficient standard of education for service in the Permanent Defence Force.
The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services, the establishment of the Permanent Defence Force and available resources.
