asked the Minister for Defence the total number of officers in the Permanent Defence Force; the total number of officers who have resigned their commissions during the past two years; the reasons for the high rate of resignations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Permanent Defence Force Statistics.
3.
(Limerick West): The total number of officers in the Permanent Defence Force is 1,585. To date in 1987, 30 officers have resigned or voluntarily retired from the force. The corresponding figure for 1986 was 27. There has been no significant change in the rate of resignations-voluntary retirements in recent years.
I must take issue with the Minister on his suggestion that there has been no significant change in the rate of resignations from the officer corps within the Army. I put it to the Minister that there was a dramatic change from 1985 onwards when, for the first time, 22 officers resigned, which represented a considerable change in the pattern of officers leaving. In responding could the Minister indicate the numbers that departed from the officer corps by way of resignation or voluntary retirement in the years 1980 to 1984?
(Limerick West): The number of resignations or voluntary retirements in 1985 was 23. The corresponding figures for 1977 and 1967 were 20 and 30 respectively. The overall numbers are small and normally would be expected to vary from year to year. The Deputy will see that they have not varied significantly over the past 20 years.
The Minister has not told us what that represents in percentage terms. Would the Minister comment on the reasons there has been this rate of departure? The Minister will be aware that there have been some comments in the press recently, attributable to officers in the corps, suggesting that it may be due to low morale, cutbacks and the lack of promotion within the Army. Could the Minister comment on that?
(Limerick West): As the Deputy will appreciate, I am not responsible for what appears in the public press. While officers may submit their resignations at any time, those who qualify for a pension or gratuity after five years' total service may apply to retire voluntarily instead. It is normal practice for those with more than five years' service to retire voluntarily. It is not always necessary, indeed I should say that officers when retiring, do not indicate their reasons for doing so. Many of them retire to take up posts outside the Army but do not have to indicate to the Army authorities their reasons for retiring.
Then I take it that the Minister is not at all concerned about the drift of Army officer personnel leaving the Army. Furthermore, I take it he does not see any need for ministerial action in this regard.
(Limerick West): What I said was that the pattern has not varied over the past 20 years. I do not see any reason for concern because there has been no significant drop in the number of resignations from the Army.