Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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Question 1046: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of cadets the Defence Forces intends to recruit in 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18133/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Government has decided to accept my recommendations that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force will be maintained at 9,500. I believe that this is the optimum level required to fulfil all roles assigned by Government. It is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue in 2012, within the resource envelope allocated to Defence, so as to maintain the Government approved strength of the Defence Forces. While there will be a Cadetship Competition in 2012 details of the number of cadets to be inducted from this competition are being considered in the context of the reduction in overall numbers and the re-organisation of the Defence Forces from three to two Brigades.

It is too early to confirm if there will be a cadet class in 2013.