Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Defence if a person who has psoriasis would be turned down as a recruit to the Irish Defence Forces. [42638/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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All applicants for entry to the Permanent Defence Force must be in good mental and bodily health and free from any physical defect, abnormality, physiological condition, or past history of serious illness likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his/her duties in accordance with Defence Force Regulations.

The professional advice of the medical Military Authority is that each applicant’s medical history is looked at on a case by case basis. Each individual’s medical condition is looked at taking into account a detailed/documented history of the condition, including remissions, exacerbations, and any associated conditions, the extent of the condition, and a full examination by a Medical Officer. As such, depending on the extent and severity of the condition and an assessment of how it might impact on the capacity of the individual to discharge all the duties they may be required to undertake as a member of the Defence Forces, a person who has psoriasis could be turned down as a recruit to the Permanent Defence Force.

The medical standards are of general application for entry to the Permanent Defence Force. They 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.

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the reasons for which someone may be turned down for recruitment to the permanent Defence Forces. [42639/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Entry to the Permanent Defence Force is either through the Cadetship Competition, Apprenticeship Competition, General Service Enlistment, or Direct Entry Competitions, which are held to fill vacancies in specialist appointments. To apply for any of the above entry streams, applicants must meet all of the eligibility criteria, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations, and/or the conditions governing a particular competition. These eligibility criteria cover residency conditions, as laid down by the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, minimum and maximum age requirements, minimum education qualification and Garda Síochána security clearance.

All applicants must also meet certain medical and physical standards, which include minimum vision, hearing and height standards. Candidates must be in good mental and bodily health and free from any physical defect, abnormality, physiological condition or past history of serious illness likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his/her duties.

These physical and medical standards are of general application for entry to the Permanent Defence Force. They 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. Any candidate who fails to meet all of the eligibility criteria will not be recruited into the Permanent Defence Force.