Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.

David Stanton

Question:

219 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of applicants to the respective branches of the Defence Forces who have been medically examined in preparation for entry in the past 12 months; the number of such applicants who have been refused entry on medical grounds; the way in which such decisions to refuse entry have been communicated to the applicants; if it is standard practice to communicate such refusal; the reasons to communicate refusals in writing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17137/02]

David Stanton

Question:

220 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the procedures in place in relation to applicants to the Defence Forces who have been refused entry following examination by Defence Force medical personnel to appeal such decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17138/02]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together.

The information sought in relation to the number of applicants medically examined and the numbers who failed the medical examination for entry to the Defence Forces over the past 12 months is as follows.

	Number of applicants Medically examined	Number failed medical
Army	950.00	96.00
Air Corps	39.00	7.00
Naval Service	324.00	104.00
Reserve Defence Force	2,967.00	367.00

When an applicant for enlistment to the Permanent Defence Force is found to be medically unfit, the medical officer will advise the applicant as to the reason why and whether or not medical or surgical treatment can be expected to render the applicant fit. Applicants for enlistment to the Reserve Defence Force who are examined by a civilian practitioner and found to be medically unfit are informed by the unit commander on receipt of a report from the civilian practitioner. Where an applicant is found to be medically unfit and wishes to appeal the decision, they are advised that any representations they may wish to make will be considered. In such cases, representations may be submitted to the examining medical officer who rejected the applicant, the brigade medical officer of the brigade in question or to the director, medical corps.

It is standard practice to communicate directly and/or by formal letter to individuals who fail medical examinations when applying for entry to the Defence Forces.

David Stanton

Question:

221 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence, further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 on 26 March 2002, when a commissioning from the ranks competition will be held for appointment of officers to the Naval Service during 2002; the ranks from which candidates will be selected; the other criteria which might be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17145/02]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

Draft conditions governing the appointment of enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Force to be officers of the Naval Service are under discussion with the representative associations. As these discussions are ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any of the specifics of the proposed draft conditions.

However, it is my intention that this course will be run as soon as these discussions are completed.