David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 554: To ask the Minister for Defence the numbers commissioned from the ranks in 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 respectively; the respective units involved; if any unit exits from which commissioning from the ranks is prohibited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36513/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Military authorities that an internal Commissioning From the Ranks competition was held in June 2007. Twenty four personnel were subsequently selected from the ranks of Junior and Senior NCO's and, following successful completion of training in the Cadet School, were commissioned as officers of the Permanent Defence Force in June 2008. A breakdown of the personnel commissioned, according to unit, is provided in the tabular statement overleaf. All personnel who met the criteria for this competition were eligible to apply. No unit exists within the Defence Forces from which commissioning from the ranks is prohibited.

The competition in 2007 captured a lot of personnel who would be eligible and suitable for commissioning from the ranks. The process was to be reviewed following this competition with a view to determining how the process would be operated thereafter. However, as the Deputy will recall, the moratorium was introduced in 2009 and this impacted on overall recruitment. While there were no specific Commissioning From the Ranks competitions held in 2008, 2009 or to date in 2010, 13 applicants with military service were successful in the 2008 cadetship competition and a further 18 applicants with military service were successful in the 2009 cadetship competition. In addition, a further two members of the Defence Forces were commissioned as officers in 2008 from Direct Entry competitions as Engineer Officers. As such, while there has not been a specific competition for commissioning from the ranks in the past few years, enlisted personnel have been successful in the open Cadet competitions.

One of my main priorities as Minister for Defence is to provide opportunities for enlisted personnel to advance into the Officer Corps. This policy forms part of the Defence Force Modernisation Agenda and is a commitment in the Programme for Government. In the context of future officer recruitment on the basis of an agreed structure for the Defence Forces, I would intend to return to this issue, in due course.

PQ36513/10