Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made regarding facilitating recruitment among minority cultures and ethnic groups into the Permanent Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38101/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The question of the recruitment of foreign-nationals to the Defence Forces is not a new one. Defence Force Regulations have always allowed for the recruitment of foreign-nationals to the Defence Forces. People from diverse backgrounds have already been employed in the Defence Forces, but this has mainly been in certain specialised areas. This has worked well - albeit on a limited scale.

Entry to the Permanent Defence Force is either through the Cadetship Competition, Apprenticeship Competition, General Service Enlistment or Direct Entry Competitions which are held to fill vacancies in specialist appointments. All applicants for each of these entry streams are required to meet qualifying criteria.

The Defence Forces make every effort to reach out to all groups in society in order to ensure that the selection pool from which potential candidates is drawn will be reflective of the wider society.

They have established links with cultural community groups based in Ireland, in order to brief them on the Defence Forces and its current entry requirements.

In order to ensure best practice in respect of recruitment and retention of personnel from diverse groups the Defence Forces is a participant on the Irish Management Institutes Cultural Diversity Bizlab Group.

Furthermore they have a defined officer appointment holder in the area of equality and cultural diversity who ensures that the Organisation is fully compliant with all aspects of equality and diversity requirements in the DF personnel policies and practices. In November 2007, the Defence Forces issued their Equality, Diversity and Equal Status Policies. This document includes the Defence Forces:-

Anti Racism Equality Policy,

Discrimination and Promotion Policy,

Equality of Opportunity in Recruitment and Advertising of Jobs,

Equal Opportunities in the Interview Process,

Equality of Opportunity in Job Orientation and Job Induction,

Equality of Opportunity in Overseas Service, Career Promotion and Progression.

A Dignity Charter has also been put in place, which clearly identifies the requirement for Defence Force personnel to uphold the values of tolerance, dignity and understanding and to respect the right of each individual to dignity in their work environment.

There are generally more applicants for positions in the Defence Forces than places available. The Department and the Defence Forces are fully committed to ensuring that all suitably qualified candidates who wish to do so are given the opportunity to join the Defence Forces. The primary focus in recruitment is to attract people with the core competencies required by the Defence Forces.