Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Defence if there will be a Defence Forces cadet class in 2010; if the public sector recruitment freeze will have any impact on a cadet class for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19951/10]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the recruitment of cadets to the Defence Forces in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20064/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 427 together.

Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of Budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

A range of promotions and acting up appointments, along with recruitment of enlisted personnel for the Naval Service and the 2009 cadet class have been approved since the moratorium was put in place. The question of a cadet class in 2010 will be considered in the context of the review of structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Defence Forces and the Government decision to maintain a complement of 10,000 personnel.

I intend, with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies. I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government at home and overseas.

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for Defence the way a person who is now 27 years of age can apply to be part of the Defence Forces cadet training in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19952/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The position is that applicants for a Cadetship in the Permanent Defence Force must be not less than 17 years of age and under 28 years of age, by a specified date, in the competition year. The upper age limit requirement, for the Cadetship Competition 2009, was under 28 years of age on the 1 November 2009.

Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of Budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

A range of promotions and acting up appointments, along with recruitment of enlisted personnel for the Naval Service and the 2009 cadet class have been approved since the moratorium was put in place. The question of a cadet class in 2010 will be considered in the context of the review of structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Defence Forces and the Government decision to maintain a complement of 10,000 personnel.