Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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373. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the efforts under way to hire the ten additional employees to the communication and information services to achieve the military recommended number of employees and to prevent another military information technology glitch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18468/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces operates a large number of sophisticated ICT systems in order to support the Command and Control and administration of the Defence Forces at home and overseas and in the Land, Sea and Air Domains. The delivery of these sophisticated ICT services is underpinned by highly trained technical Defence Forces personnel.

There are currently no plans to run a Direct Entry competition for IT specialists. However, to ensure that there are a sufficient number of appropriately trained technicians to support the delivery of these ICT services, the Defence Forces operates a tailored four year degree level programme in conjunction with academic institutions.

Currently there are 54 Defence Force personnel undergoing this trainee technician scheme who, on graduation, will support ICT service delivery for the Naval Service, Army and Air Corps.