Vol. 399 No. 11
7 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence, in view of the recent advertisement for cadetships in the Defence Forces, the number of applications received to date; and whether this compares favourably with previous recruitment campaigns.
The number of applications for cadetships this year is approximately 1,500. While this is somewhat below the average number of applications received over the past three years, it is considered to be a satisfactory response and sufficient to enable all available vacancies to be filled.
Since the number of applicants in 1988 was 4,000 more than the figure for this year, would the Minister not accept that this is a very poor response and indicates a lack of interest by our suitably qualified men and women? How does he intend to raise the status and attractiveness of these positions?
It can be equally interpreted that it is a reflection of the general economic wellbeing of the country, that there are alternative areas of employment open to young applicants of that age. The Deputy might take that positive interpretation. While I agree that 1,500 applications is below the average it is still very high in relation to the number of posts that will eventually be filled.
Or is it an indication of the emigration from the country?
There is no doubt that the low wages and the low morale in the Defence Forces was a factor in recent years. Perhaps it would have been prudent of the Minister to await the report of the Gleeson Commission before endeavouring to advertise positions. Can the Minister outline the reasons females were debarred from applying for cadetships in both the Navy and the Air Corps? Would he not accept that this is a further discrimination against women and what action does he propose to take to rectify this unacceptable position?
We are having an extension of this question.
This is a separate matter.
I do not agree.
It is an extension of the question Deputy. I have said so.
I do not know what the Deputy is talking about. There are females involved in the cadetship advertisement. I do not know where the Deputy is getting his information.
In relation to the recent advertisement for cadetships in the Defence Forces positions were advertised for females for the Army but there were no positions for females in the Air Corps or Naval Service.
At the moment four females are included in the Army group.
I am specifically asking why there were no positions for females for the Air Corps and the Naval Service.
As of now there are no vacancies but in principle there is no barrier to female recruitment in any part of the Defence Forces. It does happen that there is room for four females on the Army side but there is nothing more than that in it. I can assure the House of that.
If the remaining Question No. 8 in the name of Deputy Nealon is to be replied to it must be taken now.
