Jim Glennon (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of cadets and the number of private soldiers who were accepted into the Defence Forces in 2004 and 2005; the number of applications received in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11561/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The number of applications received for general service enlistment to the Permanent Defence Force in 2004 and 2005 was 1,943 and 1,125, respectively. A total of 579 general service recruits enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force in 2004 and a further 384 recruits enlisted in 2005.

The number of applications received for cadetships in 2004 and 2005 was 916 and 1,004, respectively. In 2004 a total of 67 cadets were enlisted of which two cadets were Naval Service cadets from the 2003 cadet competition who transferred from the Naval Service to the Army cadet class of 2004. From the 2005 cadetship competition 55 cadets were enlisted.

It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. Recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force will continue to maintain the strength at a level required to meet military needs an as set out in the White Paper, that is, 10,500 Permanent Defence Force all ranks.