Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the height entry requirement for females into the Permanent Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17125/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The minimum height requirement for entry to both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force is 162.5 cm (5 ft. 4 ins) for both men and women. This limit was set in April 2002 based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and the actual experience of training units. The advice at that time was that, having regard to the nature of the job and of the duties of military service and the training exercises undertaken by members of the Defence Forces, persons of shorter stature are more likely to incur back and lower limb injuries. A key element in military life is the need for personnel to maintain a level of fitness for combat readiness. Inherent in this physical requirement is the ability to carry heavy loads and execute physically demanding tasks in training and on operations. The Personal Load Carrying Equipment and personal weapon place considerable weight on the musculosketal system. The advice in 2002 was that the recommended height requirement of 162.5 cm (5 ft. 4 ins) for entry is the minimum necessary to meet the demands of military life.

As I indicated to the House on 29 September, 2005 I have asked the military authorities to report to me on the height requirement and I will review the height requirement in the light of that report. I expect to have the military authorities' report on or before 1 June, 2006. I would point out to the House however that the height requirement is only one element of the overall matter of how more women might be encouraged to enlist in the Defence Forces. In this context I believe it is important that we look at the whole range of possibly contributing factors. To that end I intend shortly to award a contract for research into women's attitudes to military life and a career in the Defence Forces. I would envisage such research to include interviews with currently serving female members of both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force.