Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is focused firmly on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Permanent Defence Force. Government approval was secured in the context of Budget 2010 for a level of 10,000 all ranks. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. Targeted recruitment is being carried out in 2010 in order to maintain the operational capability of the Defence Forces. To this end I approved the recruitment of 40 recruits to the Naval Service, limited recruitment to the Army and the intake of 30 Cadets from the Cadetship Competition 2010.

The planned date for the 30 successful cadet candidates to commence their cadet training is 1 December 2010. In addition the Naval Service recruitment process is nearing completion and it is intended that the successful candidates will be enlisted in December 2010. The competition for recruitment to the Army was advertised on 26th August 2010 with the closing date for receipt of applications being 20th September 2010. The selection process for enlistment to both the Eastern and Southern Brigades has commenced. The enlistment selection process to the Western Brigade and the Defence Forces Training Centre is scheduled to follow on when this enlistment has taken place.

I intend, with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies.