Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide clarification on the reasons a specific individual was deemed ineligible to join the Defence Forces; if he will provide clarification on the illness and conditions that would prevent a successful application to the Defence Forces; if there is a register or list of such; if a specific named condition will render a person ineligible for enlistment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40941/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The day to day administration of recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the individual to whom you refer was found to be below the medical standards for entry to the Permanent Defence Force when examined by a Board of two Military Medical Officers on 6 June 2012. However, on receipt of supporting correspondence, the individual’s application was reviewed by the Medical Board. The Board was of the view that it could not justify a reversal of its original decision on the basis of the information contained in the correspondence. Consequently, the individual is ineligible for enlistment in the Defence Forces School of Music.

There is no list of illnesses or conditions which result in an applicant being ineligible for enlistment. Physical and medical standards are of general application for entry to the Permanent Defence Force. These are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and have regard to the nature of the job, the duties of military service and the training exercises undertaken by members of the Defence Forces.