asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the intake of army cadets in 1988; the number recruited in 1987; the number being recruited in the present year; when applications will be available; and when interviews will be held.

(Limerick West): Twenty-five cadets were recruited in 1987. Proposals for an intake of cadets in 1988 are under consideration and a decision in the matter will be made in due course.

If it is decided to hold a competition this year, it will be extensively advertised in the public press around the end of May. Application forms will be available at that time and interviews will commence in July.

The Minister must surely know whether or not there is to be an intake of cadets for 1988. This also happened last year and that is why I put down the question. It ran very late in the year and there was considerable difficulty for many young people who would have liked to apply for a cadetship. With the financial process the Department have to go through, surely the Minister must be aware of whether he is going to recruit cadets into the Army at this time of the year?

(Limerick West): First, there was not considerable difficulty last year. The situation ran very smoothly.

It ran late.

(Limerick West): There are now 25 cadets in training, 15 for the Army and ten for the Air Corps. The training is running very satisfactorily. I visited those people and spoke with them. The number of applicants is as high as it was any other year, keeping in mind that a number of people have already taken up places in university and other positions and the competition is quite keen.

May I ask the Minister the number of women recruited in this category in the last three years and what proportion of women will be offered opportunities this year?

(Limerick West): I do not have the information for the last three years but no women cadets were recruited last year. With regard to women cadets for 1988, no decision has been made yet.

A Cheann Comhairle——

I am sorry, I must now deal with questions nominated for priority. We have encroached on that time.