Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
467. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Defence the reason an application by a person (details supplied) to re-enlist with the Naval Service was rejected; if there is an appeals process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21643/20]
View answerOn 1 April last, former Minister with responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, TD., launched the scheme to re-enlist former Permanent Defence Force enlisted personnel who have the skills and expertise required to fill identified vacancies that currently exist. This includes technicians, fitters, chefs, communications and IT specialists and naval staff.
The scheme is intended to support the Defence Forces in responding to capability demands in the short to medium term and will allow for initial re-enlistment for a minimum of six months and up to 3 years.
On foot of a recommendation from the Chief of Staff, I recently approved the re-enlistment of 17 candidates, the first 15 of whom were attested on Monday 7 September. I am awaiting further recommendations from the Chief of Staff, having regard to identified skills gaps in the Permanent Defence Force.
I am unable to refer specifically to the named individual, as it is the policy of the Department of Defence to treat all applications for enlistment and re-enlistment in the Defence Forces as strictly private and confidential. It is however, open to the named individual to contact the Military Authorities directly.
