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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 4

Priority Questions. - Defence Forces Recruitment.

Billy Timmins

Question:

8 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the educational and medical requirements for entry as a recruit into the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18238/97]

There are no specific educational requirements for enlistment for general service in the Permanent Defence Force. However, applicants for enlistment must satisfy interview boards that they possess a standard of education sufficient for service in the forces. Generally speaking, applicants for enlistment in recent times have had a good standard of education.

The medical standard for enlistment is as laid down from time to time by the relevant military authorities. Applicants for enlistment are required to undergo a thorough medical examination and a physical fitness test in order to determine their suitability for military service. The medical examination covers such matters as physical and mental health; disability, handicap or physiological alteration; the ability to undergo physical and mental strain and exertion; keenness of vision, including colour vision; hearing standard and height.

These standards have general application and an applicant who fails any aspect of the medical or physical test is regarded as unsuitable for military service. It is essential that only fully fit, young people are enlisted in the Defence Forces.

I am sorry for smiling as a I read out some of those exacting standards. There was probably only a very short period in my life when I would have measured up to such standards.

I congratulate the Minister on his appointment. In 1994 the height limit for entry as a recruit was a minimum of 5' 2". This was raised to 5' 5" in respect of the recent batch of recruitment. The Fianna Fáil general election manifesto stated that maximum encouragement would be given to females to apply for recruitment. In addition, the programme for Government contains a paragraph which refers to encouraging increased participation by women in the Defence Forces.

Will the Minister consider reducing the height limit requirement from a minimum of 5' 5" to 5' 2"? What was the basis for increasing it to 5' 5"? Given that there is a difference between the average height of males and females, will he agree this requirement discriminates against females?

I have every confidence in the military authorities and the standards set for enlistment. The Deputy needs to take into account that standards are intended to take cognisance of the requirements and responsibilities under the safety, health and welfare at work legislation. A decision was taken by the military authorities to raise the height requirement limit from a minimum of 5' 2" to 5' 5". While I am unable to argue against any disability this may present to female applicants, a huge proportion of the female applications would exceed the minimum height limit of 5' 5".

Notwithstanding the need for strict regulations and changes to meet the new circumstances, commitments and legislative codes necessary in many different areas, I will reconsider this matter if I find that these regulations have a detrimental effect on applications by females for various posts. However, a cursory glance at the new recruitment drive shows that there has been a substantial number of female applicants at all levels. Bearing in mind that this is the age of equality, it may be that the case made by the Deputy, including the suggestion that female genes do not have the same growth capacity as male genes, will get him into more trouble than my answer will get me.

It is a fact that, by and large, females are smaller than males. In the last few months I have received complaints from several people who, after being measured for height in the second interview, were found to be several inches under the height requirement. While they should not have applied in the first place, will the Minister agree that the height test should take place at the first interview and not the second?

There were approximately 3,100 applicants from which 800 appointments were made. There were no difficulties in getting the numbers to meet the medical, physical, educational and other criteria. Up to 20 per cent of the applicants who were tested failed the hearing test. Young people are listening to music at hazardous noise levels. We need to take action regarding the noise levels at functions attended by young people, which are undesirable and injurious. Between 15 and 20 per cent failed the physical test and approximately 10 per cent failed the medical test. I will consider the possibility of short-circuiting some of the recruitment problems to ensure that applicants can be informed of their position at an earlier stage of the process.

While no educational entry standard is set, will the Minister indicate the educational standards of the recruits? To what extent does the wearing of glasses and hearing aids influence the assessment of applicant recruits?

I do not know the answer to the Deputy's second question. I will look into the matter and revert to him. Approximately 86 per cent of all students virtually complete their second level education. Taking this as a base it may be assumed that a huge proportion of applicants to any of the forces have completed the greater part of their second level education. The standard of education is generally good. It is exceptionally good by international standards, even though there are aspects which we need to improve. Having met young recruits I am confident that the standard is more than sufficient to meet the requirements of the Defence Forces. I will always encourage the opportunity to participate in further study and training.

I wish the Minister well in his new position. He served his apprenticeship with me in Opposition so he is well qualified for the job. He is aware of the problems and difficulties facing the Defence Forces and of what is required. I am sure he will deliver the goods.

Deputy Timmins made an important point regarding the change made to the height specification for applicants. There has been no continuity in recruitment. As a consequence, when it has taken place, there have been large numbers of applicants. I would like to think that the change in the height requirement from five feet two inches to five feet five inches was not made to keep the number of applications down. I ask the Minister to ascertain why it was necessary to make it.

I thank the Deputy for his kind words. I was fortunate to be able to make contact with him whenever I encountered problems in County Kildare. It was of help that he had a sense of humour.

There will be constant recruitment. I intend to announce before Christmas the details of a substantial recruitment programme in 1998 to fill vacancies left by members of the Defence Forces who have retired etc. From time to time the military authorities review standards and criteria to comply with the provisions of new health and safety legislation, to take account of experience gained while serving with the United Nations and in settling claims. These standards cover such matters as the height of recruits and physical fitness levels. I have to rely on the advice of military authorities in this regard. If there are aspects at which I can look in the context of a review I will be happy to do so without giving any commitments to introduce changes.

I wish the Minister every success. He is committed to achieving a gender balance in the Defence Forces. I remind him that under the Employment Equality Act, 1977, one is not allowed to introduce restrictions to discriminate against women. In altering the height requirement one may not be in compliance with that Act. In view of the fact that for many years the Defence Forces were exempt from the provisions of the Act, will women be specifically targeted in future recruitment programmes?

I am committed to the principle of equality and the participation of women at all levels of the Defence Forces. Recently two female cadets received their commission. The Deputy is correct that the numbers are still too low and that there is a need to keep all avenues open. In recent days I was asked the highest rank reached by a woman in the Defence Forces. When Minister for the Environment I was asked when the first female county manager would take up office. Female participation is encouraged at all levels of the Defence Forces. I will ensure no obstacles are placed in their way.

I understood that difficulties were encountered in the recent recruitment programme in retaining recruits but the Minister seemed to imply that that was not the case. I understood also that the numbers of applicants were down considerably. This is understandable in a booming economy. There is considerable scope for making more information available to the public about the career options available in the Defence Forces and about the work that they do. The recruits to whom I spoke recently were excited about the opportunities for career development in the Defence Forces. We will continue to encounter difficulties unless the work the Defence Forces do is explained more fully to the public.

The Minister mentioned that 20 per cent of applicants failed the hearing test. That is a frightening statistic. If these applicants had applied ten years ago they would have slipped through the net and would now be submitting a claim for damages to which I assume they would be entitled. This is a serious matter and I ask the Minister to raise it at Cabinet.

I agree with the Deputy. I raise this matter because I wish to heighten the level of public consciousness. The Deputies opposite and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle as a medical practitioner are as concerned as I am that such a large number of young people have hearing problems. At some functions it is not even possible to have a conversation without having to shout.

There were 1,376 applicants for 46 cadet positions, 370 applicants for 17 apprenticeships and 3,100 applicants for 800 enlistment positions. While the overall numbers were down for the best of reasons, thankfully huge numbers still want to join the Army. Deputy Fitzgerald and her colleagues, including Deputy O'Shea, can make a contribution in providing information on the activities of the Defence Forces. Some work has already been done in that regard. While their work with the United Nations and in other areas is a source of great pride, there is a lack of understanding among the public of their functions and obligations. It is only on ceremonial occasions or when a security problem has to be dealt with that the public become aware of their existence. I will find ways to heighten considerably the public's understanding of their activities.

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