Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 452: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of applicants for the Permanent Defence Force for the 2008 and 2009 recruitment years; the number accepted; the number which were unsuccessful due to the fact that they did not reach the required fitness standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27823/09]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 453: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of applicants for the Cadet School for 2008/2009; the number accepted for the school; the number which were unsuccessful due to the fact that they did not reach the fitness requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27824/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 453 together.

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.

I am informed by the Military Authorities that there were 1,183 applications received for the 2008 Cadetship Competition. Following preliminary interviews 220 candidates were called for physical fitness testing. Of those who attended for physical fitness testing 7 failed.

In 2008, 41 Cadets commenced their cadet training on 29 September 2008.

In 2008 Apprenticeship Competitions were held for Aircraft Mechanics, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics and Fitter Armourer Apprentices. A total of 612 applications were received of which 93 underwent physical fitness testing, 15 of whom failed, which equates to 16%.

The number of applications received for General Service Enlistment to the Permanent Defence Force in 2008 was 5,466. A total of 2,916 applicants were called for interview and only 507 General Service Recruits were enlisted in 2008. The failure rates are not readily available, however as soon as I receive them I will pass them on to the Deputy.

Direct Entry competitions were held in 2008 for Doctors, Aeronautical Engineers and Instrumentalists. A total of 103 applications were received for these competitions and as a result 3 Doctors and 4 Aeronautical Engineers were appointed while 1 Instrumentalist was enlisted to the Army School of Music. Direct entrants do not complete induction physical fitness testing as part of the recruitment process.

A key element in military life is the need for personnel to maintain a level of fitness for combat readiness.