Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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48. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of qualified physical training instructors the Defence Forces has to oversee annual fitness tests, recruit induction fitness tests and general physical training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3655/18]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the length of time it takes between a potential member submitting the online application to join the Defence Forces and when they formally begin training; the steps being taken to speed up the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3657/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 50 together.

Application for General Service Recruitment to the Defence Forces in conducted on-line and all correspondence with applicants is conducted via e-mail. Candidates must successfully complete fitness testing, online psychometric testing and interview in order to progress through the competition. Following these stages of the recruitment process, successful applicants may be placed on panels and may be offered a position, subject to successfully completing a medical examination and obtaining security clearance.

The interview and fitness test take place on the same day and applicants are afforded some flexibility with regard to the date for this as is the case regarding the medical test.

The length of time from initial application to readiness for attestation is approximately four months. However, applications may take longer, depending on the specific circumstances of the application and the timing of recruit intakes.

I am informed by the military authorities that there are currently one hundred and eighty eight (188) qualified military personnel in service who can oversee recruit induction fitness tests, annual fitness tests and general physical training. These personnel undertake a fifteen (15) week course of training which qualifies them for the role of Physical Training Instructors.