Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
632. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the last time that the age limit for entry into each of the sectors of the Defence Forces was reviewed; if it was undertaken with comparison to international practice; and when the next age review regarding entry is due to take place. [63528/22]
View answer642. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has considered raising the recruitment age of the Naval Service from a maximum of 27 years of age to a higher age as part of the drive to increase recruitment given many other countries have a much older recruitment age limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63910/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 632 and 642 together.
The conditions for entry to the Permanent Defence Force, including the maximum age limits of applicants, are subject to ongoing review and modification having regard to the needs of the organisation, the development of best practices and, as required, reviews of national and international comparators. Currently, such conditions are also being considered in the wider context of recommendations made in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
The age limits for personnel wishing to enter the Defence Forces are as set out in Regulations made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended. The nature of military service requires that the age profile of personnel in the Defence Forces must be appropriately managed to ensure that capability requirements are met and, in that context, the entry age limits are currently under review.
The last amendment to Regulations, providing for an increase in the upper recruitment age limit, was in respect of persons recruited as Direct Entry Technicians and was dated 30th March 2022.
