Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 7

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Personnel.

Paul Bradford

Question:

61 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence the number and rank of women serving in the Defence Forces; the actions, if any, which he will take to implement the commitment in An Action Programme for the Millennium to encourage the increased participation of women in the Defence Forces and to ensure the facilities necessary for their full participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9028/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The number of female personnel serving in the Defence Forces at 31 December, 1997, the latest date for which all statistics are available, is shown in the following tabular statement.

Women are eligible for service in the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service and in the Reserve Defence Force and to compete for all appointments on an equal basis and under the same general conditions as those which apply to men. All female personnel undergo the same training and receive the same military education as their male counterparts.

In order to encourage participation by women in the Defence Forces, I have decided to reduce the height requirement for female recruits to 5 foot four inches.

I am pleased to say that the necessary facilities are in place to allow full participation by women in the Defence Forces. Women have been serving in the Naval Service since 1995 and the first female members of An Slua Muirí were enlisted earlier this year.

Female Personnel in Defence Forces on 31 December 1997

	Comdt.	Capt.	Lt.	2/Lt.	Sgt.	Cpl.	Pte.
PDF	4	27	10	11	11	25	149
FCA					5	168	2,934