David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1768: To ask the Minister for Defence when the eligibility criteria for cadetships in the Permanent Defence Forces was last revised; his plans to make any changes to the upper age limit and required educational qualification criteria; if there is any flexibility on the eligibility criteria for former or current PDF or Reserve Defence Force members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34104/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The cadetship competition is the entry level for the officer rank of the Defence Forces. Each year, prior to advertising for a cadet intake to the Permanent Defence Force, the eligibility criteria relating to the previous competition are examined and any changes required are discussed with the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers. The cadetship competition was revised in 2005 to increase the maximum entry age to 28 and to award bonus marks to candidates with previous experience in the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force. There are no plans to increase the upper age limit for cadet recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force. Educational requirements are revised on an ongoing basis with the most recent amendments being in 2009. All applicants for a cadetship in the Defence Forces must satisfy all of the eligibility criteria of the governing conditions for the competition.