Alan M. Dukes
Question:13 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel enlisted into the FCA since 1 January 1998; and the number that has failed the entry medical examination on hearing grounds. [12975/98]
Other Questions. - Defence Forces Recruitment.
Brendan McGahon
Question:15 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel enlisted into the FCA since 1 January 1998; and the number that has failed the entry medical examination on hearing grounds. [9298/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 15 together.
The number of personnel enlisted into the FCA from 1 January 1989 to mid-April 1998 is 596. The number who failed the medical examination on hearing grounds is 118. It is possible that a number of applicants who failed the hearing test may have failed because their hearing temporarily did not meet the required standard, for example, because of a heavy cold, and may pass the test on further testing.
The number who failed the medical examination on hearing grounds appears to be very high. We discussed this issue previously and the Minister raised some concerns about it. Has he taken it up with the Minister for Health and Children?
I have had preliminary discussions with a number of my colleagues because of my worry about this matter. It appears we are experiencing rather high failure rates in terms of medical examination and hearing tests across the board for the Defence Forces and for those applying to join the FCA. It gives cause for concern. If noise induced hearing loss can be attributed to a new kind of lifestyle to which I do not want to refer openly, the matter warrants further examination.
How many audiometric booths are available to the Defence Forces?
Nine.
It is my understanding that members of the FCA, as well as those seeking to join, are finding it extremely difficult to have their hearing tested. Where are the booths located?
Personal injury claims from other groups have been put on the waiting list. There are not enough facilities to cope with the numbers presenting for tests. This is having an effect, particularly in the private area. I am not aware of any difficulties in terms of delays in recruitment but I will have the matter examined.
Is it the case that the failure rate in the Southern Command is far higher than in any of the other commands?
I do not have precise figures but in terms of recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force over the past 12 months the position in the Western Command was much better than in the Eastern Command where the problems were significantly worse than in most other commands. The matter warrants further investigation to determine the factors giving rise to noise induced hearing loss among young people leading to the failure to pass a medical test for a position such as this.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.