Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1480. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the age at which a person is deemed ineligible for recruitment to the Defence Forces; his plans to further reduce the age for recruits; and the rationale behind this decision. [20172/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1481. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if exceptions are made when recruiting persons who are older than the maximum age requirement for enlistment into the Defence Forces. [20174/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1480 and 1481 together.
The 2015 White Paper on Defence and the earlier 3rd Report of the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG), reiterated the objective of ensuring an appropriate age profile for the Permanent Defence Force. A key element in military life is the need for personnel to maintain a level of fitness for combat readiness. This requirement must be balanced with the need to retain experience and expertise, particularly at managerial level in the Defence Forces.
The upper age limit for enlistment in the Army, as a General Service Recruit, is under 25 years of age on the date of enlistment and for the Naval Service it is under 27 years of age on the date of enlistment.
The upper age limit governing the awarding of Cadetships in the Permanent Defence Force for the 2017 competitions, is under 28 years of age on 1 September 2017. Following a review this upper age limit will be reduced on a phased basis to “under 27 years of age” for the 2018 Cadetship competitions and to “under 26 years of age” for the 2019 Cadetship competitions.
As these age requirements, in accordance with Defence Force Regulations, are of general application, exceptions cannot be made in individual cases.
These limits have been determined on the basis that the essential functions of the Permanent Defence Force require that its members be composed of able-bodied personnel of an age which is commensurate with the functional requirements of the organisation. Other factors such as return on training investment were also considered.
I am satisfied that the upper age requirements for recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force, as outlined above, are appropriate and meet the requirements for a modern Defence Force which is actively involved in operations at home and on Peace Support Operations overseas.
