asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider raising the present upper age limit for entry to the Defence Forces.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Age Limit.
14.
I assume that the question refers to the age limits for enlistment for general service. These age limits, which are constantly under review, have been revised upwards on a number of occasions commencing in April, 1972. The present age limits are regarded as satisfactory and a further upward revision is not regarded as necessary at the present time.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the fact that because there is a differential with regard to the age limits for the Irish Defence Forces and the British Army some well-qualified young people who want to pursue a military career have to go to England to enlist because they are over the age limits?
The age limits for the general service and the Naval Service have been revised three times. Single people must be aged between 17 and 34 and the upper limit is extended to 38 for a married or-single person who has previous service in the Defence Forces.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary any information on the present upper age limits for officer cadets?
Yes. The age limits are laid down on the basis of military recommendations and are considered to be appropriate, bearing in mind training requirements, attendance at university, career structure and so on. Candidates for cadetship in the Permanent Defence Forces are required to be between 17 and 20 years of age on 1st July in the year of the competition. An extension of the upper limit to 21 years is granted in respect of certain service in the Defence Forces. That range is considered to be adequate at the present time.