Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of personnel recruited into the Permanent Defence Forces in 2006 and to date in 2007; the number of applications received in each of those years; the procedures involved in processing these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34022/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Entry to the Permanent Defence Force is either through the Cadetship Competition, General Service Enlistment, Apprenticeship Competition or Direct Entry Competitions which are held to fill vacancies in specialist appointments. The number of applications received for the Cadetship Competition in 2006 and 2007 was 1,085 and 1,231 respectively. 55 Cadets were enlisted in 2006 and 48 were enlisted from the 2007 Cadetship Competition.

The number of applications received for General Service Enlistment to the Permanent Defence Force in 2006 and to date in 2007 was 2,495 and 2,221 respectively. 559 general service recruits enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force in 2006 and 525 have been recruited to date in 2007. There were 427 applications for the Apprenticeships Competitions held in 2006 and a total of 20 Apprentices were enlisted. In 2007 there were 454 applications and a total of 29 Apprentices were enlisted.

Direct Entry Competitions were held in 2006 from which 2 Medical Officers were appointed to the Medical Corps, 2 Engineers were appointed to the Corps of Engineers and 2 Instrumentalists were appointed to the Army School of Music. A total of 128 applications were received for these competitions. To date in 2007 a total of 52 applications have been received for all Direct Entry Competitions. From these competitions, 4 Medical Officers have been appointed to the Medical Corps (including 2 Doctors, 1 Psychologist and 1 Dentist). In addition, 2 Aeronautical Engineer Officers will be commissioned into the Air Corps in the near future.

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.