asked the Minister for Justice whether it is a fact that members of the Civil Service and Army have their periods or service extended by ten years and one year respectively because they were awarded the Service (1917-1921) Medal without Bar; and, if so, whether he will state the reasons why members of the Garda Síochána in possession of a similar medal are refused any similar extension of service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Síochána Medal Holders: Service Extension.
75.
While I understand that there is provision in the Army and in limited circumstances in the Civil Service for age extensions to holders of the 1917/1921 Medal without Bar, I cannot accept that comparison of either of these services with the Garda Síochána in this context is relevant.
I might say that in the matter of the age of retirement members of the Force who hold the Medal without Bar, together with other early members of the Force, have already been granted substantial concessions. Under regulations made between 1951 and 1955, all members who joined before 1952 are entitled to serve up to the age of sixty-three years, whereas those appointed since that year are conditioned to a normal retiring age of 57 years.
The question of granting a further extension has been considered sympathetically on several occasions but it has been decided, having regard to such factors as the physical demands of service in the Garda, the blocking of recruitment and possibly of promotion, and the fact that all these members have already qualified for full pension, that such an extension would not be in the best interests of the Force or the general public.