Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

If the Minister does not know, he does not know. I would have concerns in relation to this. This is my third time putting this question. I put it to the Department of Social Protection and I was told it was the wrong Department. I got an answer back from the Defence Forces eventually in relation to it.

I have serious concerns in relation to this scheme, that we are introducing young people who have been targeted at a young age to, and making them aware of, the Defence Forces and a life in the Army.

I have asked the Minister how were they selected and if they selected randomly. Can they ignore this with no penalty? Can they simply ignore the letter of invitation? What is it based on? From where did this come, other than being mentioned in the White Paper? From where did this idea come that the best way to train young people and give them life skills is with the Army? There are serious questions around this.

This has happened already in relation to other schemes the Department has introduced in respect of which there are problems in England. I would like to know what it is based on, where it came from and how they are selected.

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