asked the Minister for Defence why it is that certain grades in the Army are eligible for overseas service up to the age of 50 years and that a corporal or private is eligible only up to the age of 40 years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Overseas Service.
32.
Personnel for overseas service are selected by the military authorities from lists of volunteers. The question of age and physical fitness is, amongst other criteria, taken into account in making the selections.
The following upper age limits for overseas service in line appointments are normally applied—Privates and Corporals, 40 years of age; Sergeants, 45 years of age; Company Quartermaster-Sergeants, Company-Sergeants, Battalion Quartermaster-Sergeants and Sergeants-Major, 50 years of age; Officers, 50 years of age.
Personnel of the ranks of private, corporal and sergeant with a high standard of fitness may, however, be assigned to staff and administrative appointments up to the age of 50 years. Ideally only younger men should be selected for this service because of the climatic conditions involved, but it is not always feasible to provide such men in some ranks.
Can the Minister tell us the number of Army personnel serving overseas at the moment?
About 460.
Am I correct in assuming there are so few Army personnel in the country that we cannot afford to put Army patrols on Border duties?
That is a separate question. It has nothing to do with this question.
It is a vital question.