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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 1

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.

Mary Upton

Question:

208 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Army will not consider applications from people over the age of 25 to enlist; if he proposes to review this guideline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3603/03]

The current age requirement governing general service enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force is set at over 17 years and under 25 years of age on the date of enlistment. These limits are determined on the basis that the essential functions of the Permanent Defence Force require that its members be composed of able-bodied personnel of an age group which is commensurate with the functional requirements of the organisation.

In the context of the White Paper on Defence, the Government decided that an updated Defence Forces personnel management plan would be prepared, setting down policies and goals to ensure that personnel policies and practices keep pace with current best practice. In line with this requirement, a draft integrated personnel management system is under consideration by my Department's civil-military strategic management committee.

The upper age limit for enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force is an issue which is being considered in the context of the integrated personnel management system.

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