Patrick Costello
Question:
218. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a breakdown, in tabular form, of the number of applications made to join either the general service or cadet ranks of the Army, Naval Service or Air Corps over each of the past five years; how many of these applicants were invited to take part in training; how many of these trainees completed their training; the rank at which they were commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38401/23]
View answer
It has not been possible to collate the required information in the time available. I will revert to the Deputy when the information has been gathered.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to the above-referenced Parliamentary Question and my original reply stating that it was not possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I am now in a position to do so. Please be advised that there is not an exact correlation between the three tables provided below as the induction and training process can straddle two years. For example, an induction early in 2023 could result from an application received in late 2022. In Table 1 below, the military authorities have provided the requested details regarding the numbers of applications to join the Defence Forces for the requested competitions, by Branch and year, from 2018 to 2023 (as at 31 July).
Table 1
|
General Service Recruit (GSR) and Cadet Applications by Branch and Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Army
|
|
Naval Service
|
|
Air Corps
|
|
|
GSR
|
Cadets
|
GSR
|
Cadets
|
GSR
|
Cadets
|
|
2018
|
4,222
|
1,329
|
1,336
|
242
|
-
|
581
|
|
2019
|
4,573
|
1,201
|
2,192
|
192
|
-
|
754
|
|
2020
|
5,269
|
1,302
|
1,498
|
182
|
-
|
472
|
|
2021
|
5,137
|
1,088
|
1,572
|
207
|
-
|
465
|
|
2022
|
4,296
|
830
|
1,120
|
164
|
-
|
425
|
|
2023*
|
3,095
|
641
|
640
|
172
|
710
|
400
|
*Figures to 31/07/2023
There is a high attrition rate between application and induction and the reasons for this include a high percentage of applicants that did not attend at the various induction stages or failed the psychometric, fitness or medical tests. In the case of non-shows, the Defence Forces have been proactive in attempting to rearrange times that are more suitable to the applicant.
Table 2 below provides details of GSR and Cadet Inductions. All such personnel inducted undertake training.
Table 2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GSR and Cadet Inductions by Branch and Year
|
|
|
|
Army
|
|
Naval Service
|
|
Air Corps
|
|
|
GSR
|
Cadets
|
GSR
|
Cadets
|
GSR
|
Cadets
|
|
2018
|
398
|
74
|
94
|
8
|
-
|
7
|
|
2019
|
401
|
78
|
102
|
8
|
-
|
10
|
|
2020
|
325
|
54
|
60
|
6
|
-
|
8
|
|
2021
|
377
|
42
|
65
|
8
|
-
|
8
|
|
2022
|
329
|
33
|
21
|
4
|
-
|
8
|
|
2023*
|
125
|
-
|
13
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
*Figures to 31/07/2023
There was no separate GSR competition for the Air Corps between 2018 and November 2022, as the Air Corps transferred recruits from the Army as required. In Table 3 below, details included under the GSR column during these dates relates to Direct Entry Aircraft Technicians and Apprentices who completed training.
Table 3 below provides details of those who completed training, by Branch and year, from 2018 to 2023 (as at 31 July). GSR applicants, on completion of recruit training become 3* privates (Able Seaman (AS) in the Naval Service). Following a 15 month training course, non-graduate Cadets are commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant (Ensign (ENS) in the Naval Service) while graduate Cadets are commissioned as Lieutenants (Sub Lieutenant in the Naval Service).
Table 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Completed Training
|
|
|
|
Army
|
|
Naval Service
|
|
Air Corps
|
|
|
PTE 3*
|
2Lt/Lt
|
A/S
|
S/Lt / ENS
|
PTE 3*
|
2Lt/Lt
|
|
2018
|
378
|
67
|
74
|
10
|
43
|
8
|
|
2019
|
266
|
66
|
83
|
7
|
25
|
9
|
|
2020
|
215
|
68
|
37
|
6
|
4
|
17
|
|
2021
|
304
|
59
|
47
|
4
|
29
|
10
|
|
2022
|
202
|
32
|
15
|
4
|
31
|
7
|
|
2023**
|
118
|
36
|
4
|
5
|
16
|
4
|
**Figures to 31/07/2023
The average turnover rate for General Service recruits who do not complete training has been around 30% over the last number of years. Recruits fail to complete their training for a variety of reasons. The realities of military life and the training requirements are not always suitable for some recruits or in line with their expectations of the role. In any position where there is a training period prior to appointment there will always be fall off at different stages of the process.
