Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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295. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of standard ENCO courses underway nationwide; if it was necessary for all those participating on the courses to complete an application form; if specific candidates were encouraged by superior officers to undertake these courses; if there has been unexplained withdrawals from such courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43186/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the military authorities that there are currently two Standard Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) courses being conducted by the Defence Forces. These are a Communications and Information Service (CIS) Standard NCO Course; and an Air Corps Standard NCO Course.

There are 5 students attending the CIS Standard NCO Course which commenced on 7 October and 18 students attending the Air Corps Standard NCO Course which commenced on 2 September. I am advised by the military authorities that there have been no unexplained withdrawals from either of the courses.

Defence Forces Training Courses are listed on an annual basis in the Defence Forces Annual Training and Education Directive. However, if a specific need is identified during the course of a particular year Training Courses, additional to those set out in the Defence Forces Annual Training and Education Directive, may be organised. Defence Forces Training Courses are advertised at Brigade/ Formation Level formally through Unit Routine Orders and by informal methods such as Electronic Notice Boards, Company Notice Boards etc. In addition, it would not be unusual for personnel who have good service records and have demonstrated leadership potential to be encouraged to submit an application to undertake courses by their Commanding Officer.

I am advised that selection for NCO courses is normally made following consideration by the military authorities of written applications by individual NCOs.