Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Defence the entry requirement for entry to the Naval Service; if age exemptions can be put in place to facilitate the entry of formers employees of Irish Ferries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8005/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Entry to the Naval Service is either through the cadetship competition, general service enlistment or direct entry competitions which are held form time to time to fill vacancies in specialist appointments. A specified maximum upper age limit applies to each entry stream. For the cadetship competition the upper age limit is under 28 years of age on 1 October in the competition year and for general service enlistment it is under 27 years of age on the date of enlistment. As these age requirements are of general application exceptions cannot be made in individual cases. The cadetship competition 2006 has been advertised and the closing date for receipt of applications in writing or on line is not later than 28 February, 2006. General service enlistment applications are accepted on an ongoing basis for enlistment in the Naval Service. From time to time, direct entry competitions are held to fill vacancies in watchkeeping officer and engineer officer appointments in the Naval Service. Advertisements for such competitions are usually placed in the national press. However, there are no such competitions at present.

Former employees of Irish Ferries may apply for the cadetship competition, general service enlistment or direct entry competitions when such are held provided they satisfy the eligibility criteria, including being within the stipulated age limits applicable to the entry stream for which they are applying. The Defence Forces public relations section and competitions section provide members of the public with relevant information on joining the Defence Forces. Information on career opportunities in the Defence Forces can be found on the Internet at www.military.ie.