Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Dec 1991

Vol. 414 No. 1

Written Answers. - PDF Medical Personnel.

Michael Ferris

Question:

50 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline (1) the various male medical categories in the PDF, (2) if there is an obligation to undergo an annual medical and, if so, if it must be completed by a certain date, (3) the implications of this for promotion, retention in the Defence Forces and availability for ratings and (4) the number of those who achieved the various ratings in 1990.

Minister for Defence (Mr. V. Brady)

Members of the Permanent Defence Force are classified into medical categories according to their physical efficiency as determined by their constitution, keenness of vision, keenness of hearing and ability to march. They are graded under each of these headings and the combinations of the grades obtained finally determine the category in which they are placed. There are 14 such categories from A.1, the highest to E, the lowest.

Defence Forces Regulations prescribe that all members of the Permanent Defence Forces shall undergo a medical examination at least once in every 12 month period. If as a result of such examination, the examining officer is of the opinion that a member should be reclassified he shall initiate the necessary action in that regard.

Members graded in all of the A and B categories are eligible medically for promotion. Members in category C are eligible for promotion subject to being certified medically fit for specific vacancies. Members in categories D and E are ineligible for promotion.

As a general rule a member who is graded category E is regarded as not possessing the medical standard required for service in the Permanent Defence Forces and the necessary action towards his retirement, relinquishment of commission or discharge as the case may be, is initiated. However a member who is employed in a capacity in which the disability or disabilities which occasioned his being graded E does not interfere with, or occasion him undue strain in, the efficient performance of his duties, may be retained in service.

The number in the various categories throughout 1990 is not readily available.