Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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As a result of the broad nature of the question I have focused on the process of handling applications for entry into the Permanent Defence Forces as I imagine this is the main area of concern to the Deputy. I would be happy to supply material on other specific application material if requested.

Entry to the Permanent Defence Force is either through the Cadetship Competition, Apprenticeship Competition, General Service Enlistment or Direct Entry Competitions which are held to fill vacancies in specialist appointments.

The total number of applications received to date in 2007 for each of these entry streams was 3,862. Of this figure 1,231 were for the Cadetship Competition, 2,130 for General Service Enlistment, 454 for the Apprenticeships Competitions and a further 47 were for Direct Entry Specialist Competitions.

The Cadet Competition, which is the entry level for recruitment as an Officer of the Defence Forces is held on an annual basis. The average processing time from closing date for applications to the issuing of offers of cadetship is six months. It is not possible to speed up the processing time for this competition as the offers are dependent on Leaving Certificate and University results. In order to facilitate candidates, it is also necessary to hold the initial preliminary interviews over the Easter School/University break and to hold the final assessment phase until after the completion of the Leaving Certificate Examinations at the end of June.

General Service Recruitment applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Applications are held until vacancies exist in an Army Brigade, Naval Service or Air Corps. The average processing time for applications from when vacancies exist is three months.

Apprenticeship Competitions are held on a regular basis. The average time from closing date for applications to issuing of offers to successful candidates is three months.

The average processing time for applications for Direct Entry Competition is at present approximately three months.

The processing of applications comprises a number of different components, including, in some instances psychometric tests, interviews, medical examination, physical fitness tests and security clearance. The Defence Forces periodically review the processes to ensure that technology and work practices are kept up to date thereby ensuring that the processing of applications is done as efficiently as possible.