Robert Dowds
Question:484. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence if a person who has psoriasis would be turned down as a recruit to the Irish Defence Forces. [42638/12]
View answerTuesday, 9 October 2012
Questions (484)
Written answers
All applicants for entry to the Permanent Defence Force must be in good mental and bodily health and free from any physical defect, abnormality, physiological condition, or past history of serious illness likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his/her duties in accordance with Defence Force Regulations.
The professional advice of the medical Military Authority is that each applicant’s medical history is looked at on a case by case basis. Each individual’s medical condition is looked at taking into account a detailed/documented history of the condition, including remissions, exacerbations, and any associated conditions, the extent of the condition, and a full examination by a Medical Officer. As such, depending on the extent and severity of the condition and an assessment of how it might impact on the capacity of the individual to discharge all the duties they may be required to undertake as a member of the Defence Forces, a person who has psoriasis could be turned down as a recruit to the Permanent Defence Force.
The medical standards are of general application for entry to the Permanent Defence Force. They are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and have regard to the nature of the job, the duties of military service and the training exercises undertaken by members of the Defence Forces.