Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for accepting new recruits to join the Air Corps as no new recruits have joined since 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41807/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force was suspended in late 2008 pending a review of the best means by which to achieve the reduction of 3% in payroll costs that had been applied, in common with other areas of the public service, to the Defence Forces. On foot of the Government Decision on Public Service numbers, which took effect from 27 March 2009, no post in the Defence Forces, however arising, could be filled by recruitment, promotion or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties of a higher grade. The present position is that within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is focused firmly on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Permanent Defence Force. Government approval was secured in the context of Budget 2010 for a level of 10,000 all ranks. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

Targeted recruitment is being carried out in 2010 in order to maintain the operational capability of the Defence Forces. To this end, I approved the recruitment of 40 recruits to the Naval Service, limited recruitment to the Army and the intake of 30 Cadets from the Cadetship Competition 2010.

It is intended to enlist a recruit platoon of 40 successful candidates to each of the Eastern and Southern Brigades in December 2010. The enlistment selection process of two further platoons, one each to the Western Brigade and the Defence Forces Training Centre, is scheduled to follow on when this enlistment has taken place.

In regard to the Air Corps it is envisaged that following the forthcoming induction of 40 recruits to the 2 Eastern Brigade, a number of personnel will be assigned or transferred to the Air Corps as deemed appropriate at the time. The staffing levels of the Air Corps are constantly monitored and will continue to be monitored during 2011.

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.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason for the age limit for applying to become a member of the Defence Forces; in view of the removal of the age limit in the gardaí his plans for a similar policy change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42056/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The 2000 White Paper on Defence and the earlier Defence Force Review Implementation Plan both identified the requirement to address the age profile in the Defence Forces. The key element in military life is the need for personnel to maintain a level of fitness for combat readiness. This requirement must be balanced with the need to retain experience and expertise, particularly at managerial level in the Defence Forces.

The upper age limit for enlistment in the Army is under 25 years of age on the date of enlistment and for the Naval Service it is under 27 years of age on the date of enlistment. These limits are determined on the basis that the essential functions of the Permanent Defence Force requires that its members be composed of able-bodied personnel of an age which is commensurate with the functional requirements of the organisation.

While increasing the upper age may increase the quantity of suitable candidates, the Defence Forces are endeavouring to reduce the average age of serving personnel. Moreover, recruitment to the Defence Forces is heavily oversubscribed with excellent candidates so the current age requirements are not an impediment to recruitment. Other factors such as return on training investment must also be considered.

In order for the Defence Forces to adopt the same entry requirements in relation to age as the Garda Síochána, it would require the duties and tasks of both occupations to be comparable. This is not the case with the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána and indeed other organisations such as the Fire Service having very different roles, and thus requirements for recruitment.

I am satisfied that the existing age requirements for recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force are appropriate and I do not propose to make any changes in this area at this time.