asked the Minister for Defence if any attempt will be made in the coming year to stop the loss of trained men from the Defence Forces in view of the fact that the fees collected by his Department in respect of purchased discharges increased from £32,000 in 1979, to £55,000 in 1980 and that the figure for 1981 is estimated at £100,000; if he considers the present incentives to be sufficient; if any provisions have been made in the current Estimates for the increases announced recently; in view of the increases, the reason for the reduction in the Estimates for the extension of service gratuities from £450,000 in 1979 to £314,000 in 1980 and to £250,000 in 1981.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchased Defence Forces Discharges.
1.
The question of the retention of trained personnel in the Defence Forces is kept under constant review. As the Deputy is aware, I have recently introduced significant improvements in conditions including increases in the gratuity payable and the special leave allowance granted to personnel extending their services. The allowances payable for duties of a security nature have been substantially increased and in particular the rate of allowance for security duties performed on Sundays and on army holidays has been greatly enhanced. I have also under consideration further measures aimed at retaining the services of technical personnel.
Additionally I have recently provided special staffs in each Command whose functions include the study of wastage and man management problems. These staffs will be in a position to deal with personnel problems in a more specialised and individual way than was hitherto possible.
I am satisfied that these improvements will have the desired effect of inducing more trained personnel to extend their service in the Defence Forces.
The detailed information sought by the Deputy in regard to specific provisions in the Estimates for 1981 can more appropriatedly be dealt with when the Estimates for my Department come before the Dáil.
Would not the Minister accept that there is a much more basic problem within the Defence Forces? The figures quoted in my question show the amount realised under the scheme whereby men can buy themselves out of the Forces before their period of service has expired. Immediate action is required, and the proposals outlined in the Minister's reply are not sufficient.
It was a basic problem but this is no longer the case. The trend has changed and recruitment is now outstripping wastage.
The figure expected to be realised in 1981 is £100.000, while in 1979 it was only £32,000.
These are estimates.
Are they not rather serious estimates?
Provision for the increased allowances could not have been made in the Estimate because they had not been granted. We try to estimate these figures.
Is there provision in the Estimate for these concessions?
We will have to provide for them if necessary. They were not granted until March and could not, therefore, be included in the Estimate.
Question No. 2.
How can the Minister meet the demand if he has not provided for it?
If necessary we will have to do so by way of a Supplementary Estimate.