Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The number of females applying has increased. Some 5% to 6% of the Army is female, but last year 9.5% of applicants were female and 10.5% of recruits were female. The number recruited is proportionate to the number applying. We are trying to increase the number of females applying by increasing the pool from 60% to 90% and by carrying out research to determine what other measures must be implemented to make the Army more attractive to females.

Some 25% of members of the reserve are female while the figure for the Permanent Defence Force is 6%. The same rules apply to the reserve and the Permanent Defence Force. The height restrictions for both have been reduced.

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