John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 342: To ask the Minister for Defence if persons who had been successful in recruitment to the Defence Forces in 2008 but who did not commence training because of a cut in the Defence Forces budget have to go through the application process again in the future when recruitment begins; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43391/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Defence when in view of the decision to cut the payroll by more than 4% in the defence vote in 2009, recruitment to the Defence Forces will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43392/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.

In common with other areas of the public service a reduction of 3% in payroll costs will apply to the Defence Forces. The initial step towards achieving this reduction has been to stop further recruitment for the remainder of 2008. The priority for recruitment is likely to be in areas such as cadets, medical and apprentices.

Recruitment in 2009 will be rescheduled. The situation will be closely monitored. This monitoring will take account of projected and actual natural wastage in establishing the appropriate level of recruitment in 2009.

The military authorities have advised that they will continue to accept application forms from those interested in general service recruitment. The applications will be kept on a register, applicants will be issued with an acknowledgement letter advising them of the position in relation to recruitment and they will be kept informed on the status of their applications on an on-going basis. Similarly, those who have already applied and have completed some of the recruitment selection process have been informed in writing of the current status regarding recruitment.

In addition to notifying each applicant individually a note to this effect has been placed on the Defence Forces internet site www.military.ie

The Defence Forces is maintaining all applications on its register for 2009 and therefore if recruitment proceeds candidates will not have to apply again. However some stages in the recruitment process such as medical examination, physical fitness testing and Garda Síochána Security Clearance are time dependant. Where there is a considerable time lapse between these stages and commencement of training, candidates would be required to undergo these stages again. Any stage that is not time dependant, such as interviews, would not have to be repeated. These arrangements are dependent on recruitment proceeding.