I just posted this message over at boards.ie and thought I'd share it you guys just to clarify some things, apologies for the copy and paste job:
"I fly with another well known Irish carrier and was discussing the Lingus cadet program with some colleagues who have contacts within HR there.
Just to confirm and to put your minds at rest they are taking 960 through to assessment stage, so the woman at your assessment didn't read any memo wrong.
Good luck chaps
*Also regarding it appearing like they're using excess resources, just to put it into perspective, my son applied for a banking graduate scheme and the numbers of applicants going to assessment stage to actual job places was pretty much the same as with this cadetship. Unfortunately that's a sign of the times and employers can be extremely picky over who they take. "