Pat Carey
Ceist:214 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding an application for a disability pension by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16151/02]
Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.
A completed application for a disability pension under the Army Pensions Acts was received from the person in question in May 2002.
The application has been referred to the Army Pensions Board which is the statutory body appointed under the Army Pensions Acts to investigate and report on applications for disability pensions. However, further action on the application will not be possible pending the filling of a vacancy for a medical doctor of the Army Medical Corps on the board. The question of filling this vacancy is under consideration at present.
Ciarán Cuffe
Ceist:215 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Defence his plans to raise the age of entry into the armed forces from 16 to 18 years of age as advocated by Trócaire. [16271/02]
The minimum age for general service enlistment and for the enlistment of cadets to the Permanent Defence Force is 17 years. There is an exception to the general age limit in the case of apprentices who may be recruited at 16 years. However, apprentices are not assigned to any military duties until they have completed up to four years apprenticeship trade training, at which time they would be close to 20 years of age at a minimum.
All applicants for the Defence Forces who are under 18 years of age must have the written consent of a parent or a legal guardian. Military personnel who are under 18 years of age are specifically precluded from overseas service. The minimum age for young people to join their local FCA or Slua Muiri unit is 17 years.
This year's Trócaire lenten campaign sought to draw attention to the appalling abuse of young children and their deployment as combatants in armed conflict in certain Third World countries. In addition, the campaign seeks the raising of the age of recruitment to armed forces worldwide to 18 years. Trócaire raised with me the question of raising the minimum age for recruitment to our Defence Forces to 18 years earlier this year. The worthy humanitarian issue raised by Trócaire concerning the violent abuse of children in armed conflict is an important issue which merits inter national attention. However, that issue is completely unconnected with the voluntary recruitment of a 17 year old, with parental consent, to our Defence Forces.
I am satisfied that the existing age limits for recruitment to the Defence Forces are appropriate and I do not propose to make any changes in this area.
Question No. 216 answered with Question No. 211.