Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will reverse the ageist policy being operated by the Defence Forces whereby soldiers who have been passed medically and physically fit are being denied an opportunity to serve overseas due to the fact they have reached the age of 55; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36682/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Defence Force Regulations provides that a person who enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force before 1 January 1994 may be permitted to continue in service up to the age of sixty years and further provides that a person who enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force on or after 1 January 1994 may be permitted to continue in service up to the age of fifty years in the rank of Sergeant and to the age of fifty-six in all higher ranks. Enlisted personnel, in the rank of corporal or private, who enlisted after 1 January 1994, may not serve beyond twenty-one years service in any event. These provisions were agreed with PDFORRA prior to their introduction.

'A' Administrative Instruction Part 26, Paragraph 209, provides for usual age limits for overseas service as follows in the case of enlisted personnel:

(i) Privates: Up to 40 years of age

(ii) Sergeants and Corporals: Under 45 years of age

(iii) Battalion Sergeant Major, Battalion Quarter Master Sergeant, Company Sergeant and Company Quarter Master Sergeant: Under 50 years of age

Enlisted personnel ranked as at (i) and (ii) above, who have passed a Lifestyle Improvements and Fitness Evaluation (Life Test), may, with the prior approval of their General Officer Commanding, be nominated to staff appointments overseas, either at Headquarters or in a Unit, up to the age limit of fifty years. However, personnel in this category will not be detailed or nominated for such overseas service before the required approval of the Director, Personnel Section on behalf of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) has been obtained.

In exceptional circumstances, with the approval of the Director, Personnel Section on behalf of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) and with the agreement of the military medical authorities, where considerations of lifestyle, physical fitness, personality and military competence justify, personnel at (iii) above, who have passed TI 2/2000 (Life Tests) and who are over fifty years of age, may be nominated to staff/administrative appointments overseas either at Headquarters level or in a Unit. However, a person in this category will not be detailed or nominated for such overseas service before the required approval of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) has been obtained.

Personal applications submitted by individuals requesting to serve overseas, over the normal prescribed age limit, require:

(a) A certificate from a Defence Forces Medical Officer indicating that the individual is fit to serve overseas, despite his/her being over the prescribed age limit.

(b) A recommendation from the Unit Commander indicating:

(i) General Physical Fitness and result of TI 2/2000.

(ii) Lifestyle.

(iii) Suitability for overseas service.

(c) Recommendation from the General Officer Commanding, where application is to be submitted to the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support).

In general, the upper age limits for overseas service are based on considerations of lifestyle, physical fitness, personality, military competence, the nature and duration of the mission/ appointment and the climatic conditions.