Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Minister for Defence (Deputy Alan Shatter): I am advised by the military authorities that as
part of their Personnel Support Service (PSS), personnel serving in the location referred to by
the Deputy have access to a full time civilian Social Worker whose task is to provide assistance
(preventative and curative) and support to service personnel and their families where required.
The PSS is a confidential information, education, support and referral service, designed to give
Defence Forces personnel access to information and services both from within and outside of
the military community. It is a key element of human resource management. There is a PSS
office in every major installation in the Defence Forces.
Defence Forces Recruitment
546. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence if there will be a competition
this year to recruit cadets to the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8192/12]
547. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Defence if recruitment to the Defence Forces
will occur in 2012. [8211/12]
552. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Defence if there will be an Army cadetship
recruitment this year; and if so, the date of same. [8233/12]
Minister for Defence (Deputy Alan Shatter): I propose to take Questions Nos. 546, 547 and
552 together.
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.
I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force
at 31 December, 2011, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,438 comprising
7,650 Army, 791 Air Corps and 997 Naval Service.
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. The Permanent Defence Force is not at present seeking applications for General
Service Enlistment. If a decision is taken to hold a competition in 2012, details will be available
on the Defence Forces website www.military.ie.
I would expect that the question of a cadet class in 2012 will be considered in the context of
the re-organisation of the Defence Forces now necessary to meet the operational requirements
of the Defence Forces within the new establishment of 9,500. It is too early to confirm if there
will be a cadet class this year.
Irish Red Cross
548. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the evidence
given to the Committee of Public Accounts by officials from the Irish Red Cross on
19 January 2012 last was accurate in all respects; and if he will make a statement on the
matter. [8221/12]
549. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Defence his views on the evidence given
recently by the Irish Red Cross to the Committee of Public Accounts; his further views on the
recent letter from a former senior manager at the IRC to the PAC which disputes some of the
evidence given by the IRC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8222/12]
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