asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the method governing the award of cadetships in the Defence Forces, stating the nature of tests, examinations and interviews which candidates have to undergo, and how and by whom the order of priority of successful candidates is determined.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cadetships in Defence Forces.
45.
In the case of cadetships in the Permanent Defence Force, candidates who are qualified on age and educational grounds are required to undergo the following tests:
(1) Medical Test—an examination conducted by a board of medical officers of the Army Medical Corps.
(2) Oral Irish—a test conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners, the standard of which shall be related to that of the Secondary Schools Honours Leaving Certificate Examination and the qualifying mark being 50%.
(3) Interview—an examination by a Board appointed by the Chief of Staff.
Marks are allotted by the Interview Board under the headings of Personality, Intelligence, Games and Sports, General Knowledge and General Suitability, the qualifying standard being 66?% of the total marks allotted. The order of merit of candidates is determined by the combined total marks obtained under those headings and in the oral Irish test.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, would he state that it is the interview board who tot the marks in this case and, furthermore, would he state whether any change has taken place since the present Minister was appointed to the Department of Defence in relation to the system of appointment of cadets?
I am afraid I cannot undertake to answer these supplementary questions. Perhaps the Deputy would raise them again with the Minister?
Very good.
46.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the number of Defence Forces cadetships it is intended to award this year, and the date on which those selected will be called up.
It is proposed to offer 44 cadetships in the Permanent Defence Force this year, viz. 28 in the Army, 12 in the Air Corps and 4 in the Naval Service.
I am not in a position to say at this stage when the successful candidates will be called to commence training but on the basis of previous experience it should be early next year.