Custume barracks could benefit from new army recruitment campaign

Fine Gael TD for Longford Westmeath Gabrielle McFadden has said the planned new army recruitment campaign will strengthen our defence forces and is good news for potential growth at Custume Barracks.

Deputy McFadden was speaking after the Minister for Defence Simon Coveney today launched a new recruitment campaign for General Service Recruits for the Army.

“This new recruitment campaign will strengthen our defence forces and as such is great news for the future of Custume Barracks with the potential for further growth there. I have been calling for a recruitment campaign for a long time, making it one of my priority issues as a TD for Longford Westmeath.

Just a few short months after my colleague Simon Coveney was made Minister for Defence, I brought him to Athlone to inspect the Barracks and meet with the forces there. So it is great to see this recruitment campaign getting underway now.

“New recruits in Athlone mean more families moving to the area. This obviously makes the town and wider community more vibrant and is good news for local businesses. This Government has remained committed to our defence forces and has been good for Custume Barracks. Stationing the air ambulance service here in 2012, which is now permanent, was a real commitment to the future of the Barracks.

“Minister Coveney made a commitment to maintain Irish Defence Forces numbers at 9,500 and this recruitment campaign will now help to ensure that it happens. The Minister has said that there is an annual recruitment of approximately 350 General Service Recruits.

“Recruitment is open to people aged 18 and 25 and the closing date is Friday, September 4. I encourage anyone interested in applying to log on to www.military.ie to access the online application process.Applicants will be required to undergo a range of assessments including physical fitness, psychometric tests, an interview and a security check.

“A new White Paper on Defence, which will be launched later this month, will set out the path for the future of the Irish Defence Forces who represent us with such distinction abroad. I look forward to reading it and working with Minister Coveney on what is best for the future of the Custume Barracks.”

Personnel recruited in the current campaign will have significant opportunities for training and development, serving in a wide range of missions and operations at home and overseas.

Speaking on the launch of the campaign, the Minister said: “Maintaining Ireland’s defence capacity means that we need to recruit young people who are committed, adventurous and enthusiastic and who will bring that energy to ensure that we continuously reinvigorate the modern Defence Forces.”