Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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104. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will review the circumstances of a recent applicant (details supplied) to become a cadet in the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20721/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The upper age limits for enlistment are determined on the basis that the essential functions of the Permanent Defence Force require its members to be able-bodied personnel of an age group which is commensurate with the functional requirements of the organisation.

In 2017, the military authorities proposed that the upper age limit for entry to cadetships be reduced from 28 years to 26 years. This has been implemented on a phased basis with advanced notification included in the Terms and Conditions of the 2017 Cadetship Competitions, which said - "Please note that the Upper Age Limit will be reduced on a phased basis to “under 27 years of age” for the 2018 Cadetship competitions and to “under 26 years of age” for the 2019 Cadetship competitions.

The terms and conditions for the 2018 Cadetship competition contained a similar notice, which said  - "Please note that the Upper Age Limit will be reduced to “under 26 years of age” for the 2019 Cadetship competitions.

While I understand the disappointment experienced by this applicant, the age requirement is of general application to all candidates to the competition and, in order to ensure fairness to all, exceptions cannot be made in individual cases.