Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I owe the Deputy an apology in answering this question because it is not a programme that I am personally familiar with. It arose out of the 2015 Defence White Paper, which would have been a White Paper produced by my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and obviously, the pilot would have occurred and been developed under my predecessor in this Department, the former Minister, Deputy Burton. It is not something that I have been personally involved in or am familiar with.

I am advised that eligible candidates are invited by the Department of Social Protection to attend an information session delivered by my Department's staff and personnel from the Defence Forces. Attendees who express an interest are asked to stay on for a brief ten to 15 minute informal joint interview with an official from the two bodies. The Defence Forces are notified by the Garda vetting bureau after the person has been vetted by the Garda. The Defence Forces then notify the Department of Social Protection that they intend to offer a candidate a place on the programme. The Department of Social Protection then informs the candidate that he or she has been offered a place. The Department of Social Protection informs the education and training board that the candidate has been offered a place and provides it with the contact details of the candidate and his or her PPS number to facilitate registration. The scheme is targeted at those aged 18 to 24 who are on the live register.

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