Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of cadetships in the Army and Naval Service respectively it is intended to award as a result of the competition currently ongoing; the number of applications received for the Army and for the Naval Service competitions; the number of applicants for each who were school leavers, graduates and serving personnel; the breakdown of applicant numbers by gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34813/09]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of cadetships in the Army and Naval Service respectively it is intended to award as a result of the competition currently ongoing; the number of applications received for the Army and for the Naval Service competitions; the number of applicants for each who were school leavers, graduates and serving personnel; the breakdown of applicant numbers by gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34815/09]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of persons who applied under the recent Army and Naval Service cadet recruitment competition; the number who got through round one; the number who were subsequently called for fitness assessment; the number who were called for interview; the gender breakdown of these figures; when he expects to offer places to successful candidates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34742/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 53 and 63 together.

The current Cadetship competition was advertised on 9th August 2009 with the closing date for receipt of applications being 21st August 2009. It is intended to award thirty (30) Army and twelve (12) Naval Service Cadetships as a result of this competition, which is currently underway.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that for the Army a total of one thousand six hundred and eighty five (1,685) applications were received, of which six hundred and ninety eight (698) did not meet the specified qualifications to apply for the competition.

The breakdown of the remaining nine hundred and eighty seven (987) eligible applicants of which 859 were male and 128 were female is as follows: five hundred and fifteen (515) applications were received from school leavers, and four hundred and seventy two (472) applications were received from graduates. Fifteen (15) of the aforementioned were serving personnel.

Two hundred and thirty seven (237) Army applicants progressed to the second stage of the selection process of which 206 were male and 31 were female. This stage involved a physical fitness test, group assessment and personality questionnaire. Subsequently one hundred and twenty two (122) progressed to the interview stage of the competition of which 104 were male and 18 were female.

In respect of the Naval Service the Military Authorities have advised that a total of one thousand, one hundred and one (1101) applications were received, of which five hundred and fifty three (553) were not qualified to apply for the competition.

The breakdown of the remaining five hundred and forty eight (548) eligible applicants of which 472 were male and 76 were female, is as follows: two hundred and eighty two (282) applications were received from school leavers, and two hundred and sixty six (266) were received from graduates. Seven (7) of the aforementioned were serving personnel.

Ninety four (94) of the Naval Service applicants progressed to the second stage of the competition of which 83 were male and 11 were female. This stage, which concludes this week, involves a physical fitness test, group assessment, personality questionnaire, medical examination and interview. The Naval Service competition only comprises of two stages.

It is planned that offers will be issued to the successful candidates on the 16 November 2009. Cadet training is planned to commence before the end of the year.