Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Defence his Department's policy of equal opportunity for males and females in the Defence Forces; his views on the percentage of females in the force; the issues which have been brought to his attention regarding the equal opportunity policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38262/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces, in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service and including the Reserve Defence Force, and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.

In effect this means that women are eligible on the same basis as men for participation in operational and ceremonial activities, for assignment to all military appointments, for educational and training courses, and for promotion. All female personnel undergo the same training and receive the same military education as their male counterparts. All applicants for service in the Defence Forces, both male and female, are interviewed on an equal basis and then placed in order of merit. It is not possible to give one gender priority over another as this would result in an equality issue.

All competition selection boards and general service interview boards are briefed on equality issues and specifically in relation to gender and diversity issues. All new entrants into the Defence Forces receive training during induction on equality and interpersonal relationships and on redress systems. All career courses and leadership seminars contain modules on equality and interpersonal relationships. All instructors are briefed on bullying and discrimination, and there is an instruction guiding instructors and students alike.

The Defence Forces have no restrictions or barriers to females serving in any appointment or in any rank. Selection and promotion is based on merit. Female strength levels in the Permanent Defence Force have increased from 4.4% of overall strength in 2001 to 5.23% of overall strength at the end of October 2006. In total there are currently 551 female personnel serving in the Permanent Defence Force. Over the past nine years, the strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force has increased from 244 at the end of 1997 to 551 at present. This constitutes an increase of over 100% in the number of females serving over this period.

The government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women in the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. I am, however, most anxious to ensure that every potential avenue for increasing the number of women applying to join and serve in the Defence Forces is maximised, within the framework of the Government policy of equal opportunity.

Accordingly, I have with effect from 1st September 2006 reduced the minimum height requirement for entry into both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force from 162.56cm (5'4") to 157.48cm (5'2").

This change, which applies to both males and females, has the effect of increasing the annual recruitment pool of females from 60% to 90% and males from 97% to 98%. It is too early to gauge whether there has been a corresponding increase in the number of female applicants to the Defence Forces. However, I will closely monitor the situation over the coming months.

I must point out that height is not the only issue in encouraging more women to apply to join the Defence Forces and I have recently initiated more general research in this area. To this end, following a tendering process, TNS MRBI an independent market research company has been awarded the contract to undertake research into the issue of the recruitment and retention of women in the Defence Forces. The research will test women's attitudes to military life and to a career in the Defence Forces. The research, which has already commenced, will include interviews with currently serving female members of both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force and with members of the general public. The results of the research will inform policy in this area for the future. TNS MRBI is due to complete the research by the end of 2006 with the finalised report due in early 2007.