Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 525: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason a person (details enclosed) in County Clare is being discharged from the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3986/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Personnel enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force after 1 January, 1994 are not eligible for consideration for extension of service on completion of their initial five year term of enlistment unless they have a medical classification code not lower than YY, year of birth, -12-322. In the case in question the individual's medical classification code was assessed in the context of his application for extension of service as being, 80-33-111, which is below the required standard for extension of service. The application has been the subject of lengthy consideration and the individual has been afforded extensive opportunities to make representations to the military authorities in respect of his case, including a further medical assessment on 24 August, 2004 and consideration by a medical board on 5 July, 2005 convened at the direction of the general officer commanding 1 Southern Brigade. All medical assessments found him to be below the required medical classification for extension of service.

The matter was referred to the deputy chief of staff, support, for consideration on 12 September, 2005 who having considered the matter directed that the individual's discharge should proceed as he did not meet the required criteria for extension of service. The individual was informed on 18 October, 2005 that his application for extension of service had not been approved and he was given seven days within which to submit representations in regard to his proposed discharge. The application for discharge together with representations from the person in question, were submitted to the general officer commanding 1 Southern Brigade on 14 November 2005. The general officer commanding having considered these representations was unable to recommend extension of service as the person in question did not meet the medical criteria for extension of service.

The case was again submitted to the deputy chief of staff, support, who considered it further and directed that discharge should now proceed. The date of discharge has been set at 9 March, 2006 having regard to all outstanding leave entitlements in the case. All personnel are required to meet the required medical criteria for extension of service, which are of general application and exceptions cannot be made in individual cases.