Vol. 526 No. 2
105 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the height specifications for females who wish to apply for entry into the Garda Síochána; if there is any discretion or latitude available in relation to the said height eligibility criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26103/00]
The height requirements for applicants for the Garda Síochána are set out in the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations, 1988, as amended. At present, the minimum height requirement for females is 5'5" and this is the requirement that applies to competitions held for Garda trainees. There is no discretion in relation to the application of the height requirement in this regard.
The Garda Síochána physical competence test review group is currently examining the question of pre-entry physical competence tests for applicants wishing to join the Garda Síochána. Part of its remit is to look at the validity of the present height requirements. The review group is due to report before the end of the year and I will carefully consider the recommendations contained in its report.
Notwithstanding the general height requirement, it should be noted that, under the regulations, the Commissioner may, subject to certain conditions, appoint a person who has special technical qualifications as a member of the Garda Síochána, for example, a person specifically recruited for full-time assignment to the IT section, without regard to the minimum height requirement.
