asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider making a regulation that will give FCA officers, NCOs and privates the same retiral benefits, pensions and gratuities as paid to the PDF for the same full-time service; the reason the existing regulations should be allowed to continue; if he agrees that the present regulations regarding this matter are unfair to FCA members serving on full-time duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - FCA Benefits.
12.
An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil is a component of the Reserve Defence Force with conditions of service different from those of the Permanent Defence Force. Service in an fórsa is normally part-time and even when a member is on full-time service he is in a position which is fundamentally different from that of a member of the Permanent Defence Force. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate to seek to apply to FCA personnel provisions similar to those in the Defence Forces pensions schemes which cater for the Permanent Defence Force.
The question whether anything can be done in this context in respect of continuous full-time service by FCA personnel is being examined.