Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the 2020 Defence Forces cadetship competition recently advertised will have the age limit extended beyond 26 years of age. [5483/20]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The upper age limits for recruitment in the Permanent Defence Force 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.

The Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) report on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force was accepted in full by Government in July 2019. A comprehensive implementation plan entitled "Strengthening our Defence Forces Phase One " was also published by Government. A range of projects are in development. This includes a review of recruitment methods. The output from this project will inform consideration of upper age limits for recruitment to the Defence Forces into the future.