Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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47. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the minimum criteria for recruitment into the Army; the reason a person (details supplied) did not meet the minimum criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3741/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, 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, minimum and maximum age requirements, minimum education qualification and security clearance. All applicants must also meet certain medical and physical standards, which include minimum vision, hearing and height standards. Any candidate who fails to meet all of the eligibility criteria will not be recruited into the Permanent Defence Force.

I am advised by the military authorities that the applicant in question did not meet all of the eligibility criteria as laid down.

I am unable to comment further on this matter as all applications for recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force are treated as strictly private and confidential.