In the first step in a recruitment drive to attract more women into the Defence Forces, the minimum height requirement has been reduced, Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea announced yesterday.
The height requirement for both women and men has been lowered from 162.56 cm (5ft 4in) to 157.48cm (5ft 2in) and will come into effect on September 1st.
"One of the big barriers to women joining was height and this is the first step to removing one of the obvious inhibitors," the Minister said.
Female strength in the permanent Defence Force had increased from 4.4 per cent in 2001 to 5 per cent last year, he said. Currently, the percentage of women joining was directly proportionate to the numbers applying, which was approximately 10 per cent, he said. The key challenge was to increase the number of applicants.
According to a report by the military authorities, 90 per cent of the female population of 18 years of age was 157.48 cm or taller. Therefore, the decision to remove the height restriction increased the potential female recruitment pool.
"The current minimum height requirement of 5ft 4in can only be met by 60 per cent of 18-year-olds in Ireland today. The move will increase the recruitment pool by 9,000," the Minister said.
Height was not the only issue in the recruitment of women. He had initiated wider research to test women's attitudes to military life and careers in the Defence Forces. The contract for the research would be awarded next week and would take several months. The outcome, with input from the chief-of-staff and the department would enable him to make further improvements considered necessary, the Minister said.
At present, 20 per cent, or just over 200 women are of officer rank. The most senior woman is Lieut-Col Anne Ryan in the medical corps, working in the hospital in the Curragh.
There are no restrictions on women taking any jobs in operations or postings, including appointments abroad such as in Afghanistan, Liberia or Kosovo.
Today, the Minister will officiate at a commissioning ceremony in the Curragh and over 20 per cent of the cadets are women.
The number of women in the permanent Defence Force at 5 per cent contrasts with 25 per cent in the reserve force or FCA.
At the press conference in Dublin yesterday, Mr O'Dea said steps were being taken to combat bullying, harassment and sexism in the Defence Forces. He said he had taken on board many of the recommendations on bullying, including appointing people to deal with complaints, a Defence Forces ombudsman and a confidential helpline.
He said Defence Forces equality policy was being further updated. Its first equality officer had also been appointed.
Lieut Gen Jim Sreenan, chief-of-staff, said the Defence Forces were continuing to work on the recommendations. The changing of cultural attitudes took time, but they were committed to making the change.