David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that response. I will also say "well done" to the Department and the military authorities for the work they have done in this area. However, it seems that 88 inductees to date out of 1,000 applicants is quite a small number. Will the Minister indicate what is going on with the other people who have applied to join but have not been taken on? Have people withdrawn? Is it a matter of fitness issues or other issues? A figure of 88 out of 1,000 seems quite small. Is the new recruitment campaign that is to begin in 2023 to begin when these 1,000 applications, which have been closed, have all been processed? Will the Minister comment on whether inclusion and diversity, particularly the latter, are being promoted as part of this recruitment campaign?

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