Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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2287. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the Defence Forces will be accepting applications for cadets and general service personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27625/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service personnel, as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence.

The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force targeted recruitment has been and is currently taking place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces are planning to induct 850 new entrants across all services and competition streams in 2017. The 2017 Cadet Competition was launched on 22 Mar 2017 for four weeks with a closing date of 18 Apr 2017. The competition has now progressed through the Application stage to the Assessment Centre stage which involves Group Assessment, Fitness Tests and a Realistic Job Preview. Cadet inductions are planned to take place in September 2017.

General Service Recruitment Campaigns for both the Army and Naval Service were launched on 23 Feb 2017 for 6 weeks with a closing date of5 Apr 2017. T he competitions have now progressed through the Application and Online Psychometric Assessment stages to Fitness Testing and Competency Based Interviews. Inductions from the 2017 General Service competitions will commence in Q3 2017.

With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, it is intended to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.