Helen Keogh
Ceist:10 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Defence the number of places which will be reserved in the cadet school for potential officers coming from the ranks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23805/96]
Other Questions. - Defence Forces Cadet School.
Places in the cadet school are not reserved for serving members of the Defence Forces. While places in the cadet school are not reserved for particular categories of candidates, it is open to eligible members of the Defence Forces to apply for a cadetship. However, members of the Permanent Defence Force who have 12 months' full time service may qualify for an extension of the upper age limit from 21 to 24 years. Similarly, members of the Reserve Defence Force who have 18 months' full time service may also qualify for an extension of the upper age limit to 23 years. In addition, members of the Defence Forces who have 12 months' service qualify for an additional 6 per cent of the marks available at the final interview stage of the selection procedure.
How many people have been recommended for positions in the cadet school?
People are not recommended for positions in the cadet school. If a person qualifies, he applies like anyone else. However, the upper age limit for a serving member of the Defence Forces with 12 months' experience has been extended from 21 to 24. The normal age for anyone else applying for the cadet school is 18 to 21. If the person gets through to the final interview, an additional 6 per cent of the marks are available for those who have served in the Defence Forces. This is the advantage of being a member of the Defence Forces and applying for a cadetship.
In addition, non-commissioned officers are assigned to potential officers courses as distinct from the cadetship. If a person is a non-commissioned officer who has obtained certain standards, he can be selected to do a potential officers course and then be commissioned. Over the past five years 27 enlisted personnel were appointed to commissioned rank on successful completion of the potential officers course. I am considering introducing another such course, but it has been delayed because of the VER scheme and the implementation plan to see how that works out in terms of the number of officers at different rank level.