Johnny Brady (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 53: 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, 2005 and 2006; the number of applications received in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2837/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The numbers of applications received for General Service Enlistment to the Permanent Defence Force in 2004, 2005 and 2006 were 1,943, 1,125 and 2,495 respectively. A total of 579 general service recruits enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force in 2004, 384 enlisted in 2005 and 559 enlisted in 2006.

The numbers of applications received for Cadetships in 2004, 2005 and 2006 were 916, 1,004 and 1,085 respectively. Sixty-seven Cadets were enlisted in 2004. Of these 2 Cadets were Naval Service Cadets from the 2003 Cadet competition who transferred from the Naval Service to the Army Cadet class of 2004. Fifty-five Cadets were enlisted from the 2005 Cadetship Competition and 55 were enlisted from the 2006 Cadetship competition.

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, i.e. 10,500 Permanent Defence Force all ranks.