Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
816. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence the current compliment of staff at Custume Barracks, Athlone; the timeframe for the new recruitment process in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13325/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by the Military Authorities that the current strength of personnel in Custume Barracks, Athlone is 872. With regard to recruitment, I announced the launch of a new recruitment campaign for Enlisted Personnel in both the Permanent and the Reserve Defence Force on Friday 7th March 2014. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel and this current campaign will enable us to do that. The Defence Forces plan to induct up to 400 personnel to the Permanent Defence Force (both Army and Navy) and up to 500 personnel to the Reserve Defence Force (both Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve) in 2014. This will be the first intake of recruits to the Reserve following on from the reorganisation of the Permanent and Reserve Defence Force in line with the ‘Single Force Concept’ whereby Reserve Units are embedded into Permanent Defence Force Formations.
Applicants for recruitment to both the Permanent and Reserve Defence Force will be required to complete broadly similar assessments including physical fitness and interview assessment. The recruitment competition for both the Permanent and Reserve Defence Force is being run through a centralised online application system on the Defence Forces website www.military.ie.
It is intended that the new recruits will join the Defence Forces in August or September 2014.
