asked the Minister for Defence the reason gratuities are reduced in the case of members of the Permanent Defence Force who are required to retire due to ill health caused by an accident whilst on duty.
Written Answers. - Permanent Defence Force Gratuities.
167.
Limerick West): Under the Defence Forces pensions schemes, the minimum service required by a non-commissioned officer or private to qualify for a pension and gratuity is 21 years and for a gratuity only is three years. However, a soldier who is discharged on medical grounds (that is below Army physical standards) and who has between 12 and 21 years' qualifying service under the schemes is eligible for a modified pension as well as a gratuity. Apart from the deduction of outstanding contributions to the spouses' and children's contributory pension scheme and debit balances in pay accounts, gratuities under the schemes are not ordinarily subject to reduction.