asked the Minister for Defence the age limits for each category of recruit to the Defence Forces; when these age limits were fixed; and if he proposes to increase them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Force Recruiting.
48.
As the answer to the first part of the question is in the form of a tabular statement I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it in the Official Report. There is not at present any proposal to vary these age limits except in the case of An Slua Mhuirí where the question of providing for extensions of the upper age limit on the lines of those applicable in An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil is being considered.
Following is the statement:
AGE LIMITS FOR RECRUITING TO THE DEFENCE FORCES
|
Type of recruit |
Age Limits |
When age limits were fixed |
|
1. Permanent Defence Force |
||
|
(a) Boys (other than boys for service in the Air Corps.) |
14 and less than 18 years |
16th October, 1937 |
|
(b) Boys—for service in the Air Corps. |
16 and less than 18 years |
28th February 1949 |
|
(c) Recruits for service in the Naval Service. |
17 to 38 years in the case of a person with previous service or who possesses experience which would be of value in filling a vacancy in the complement of a State ship. |
21st August, 1965 |
|
17 to 28 years in any other case. |
||
|
(d) Recruits for general service or for service in any Corps other than the Naval Service. |
17 to 38 years in the case of a person with previous service. |
22nd July, 1960 |
|
17 to 28 years in any other case. |
||
|
(e) Recruits for training as Ammunition Examiners in the Ordnance Corps. |
17 to 40 years in the case of a person with previous service. |
22nd July, 1960 |
|
17 to 28 years in any other case. |
||
|
(f) Cadets |
Not less than 17 and not more than 20 years (with an extension of the upper age limit in certain cases). |
For the 1972 competition |
|
2. Reserve Defence Force: |
||
|
(i) An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil. |
Not less than 17 and not more than 35 years with extensions of the upper age limit:— |
6th February, 1946 |
|
(a) to 40 years in the case of former members of the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve of Men (First Line) who have had not less than one year's full-time military service subsequent to the 1st June, 1940, and |
6th February, 1946 |
|
|
(b) to 45 years in the case of former men of the Permanent Defence Force or of the Reserve of Men (First Line) who, immediately prior to discharge, held the rank of Sergeant or higher non-commissioned rank. |
4th August, 1950 |
|
|
(ii) An Slua Muiri. |
Not less than 17 and not more than 35 years. |
25th May, 1954 |
NOTES (i) For general recruiting, age limits relate to the date of tenlistment.
(ii) For selective recruiting (e.g. cadets), age limits may be related to a particular date for the purposes of the competition.
What is the age limit?
38.
Is the Minister sure it is not 28?
For An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil 28 for married men.
Surely married men should get the same consideration as single men or more consideration than single men?
The question of the age limit is being reviewed, as I indicated in my reply to the debate this morning.
Surely the Minister will agree that married men deserve more consideration than single men. It is 28 for married men and 38 for single men.
Why does a single man get preferential treatment?
For obvious reasons.
What are the obvious reasons?
The Deputy should know them as well as I do. The question of cost is involved. It is a question of the best value for money.
Will the Minister in his review take into account the married men he has already rejected, because several married men were rejected?
I would also have to take into account the reasons for their rejection. There are several headings under which they can be rejected.
Are we to take it that a married man would be rejected even though he might be a very good soldier while a single man would be taken on though he might be a very bad soldier?
Not at all.