Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 8

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Personnel.

Mervyn Taylor

Question:

17 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline (1) the number of officers in (a) the Permanent Defence Forces, (b) the First Line Reserve, and (c) the Second Line Reserve who are currently serving after the normal date of retirement, (2) the number so serving this time last year, (3) the reason for this practice, (4) the normal retirement dates for those involved, (5) the corps and commands involved and (6) whether all officers have an entitlement to use this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. Daly

The number of officers of the Permanent Defence Forces, currently being retained in service beyond their normal retiring age is: Permanent Defence Forces — 17; Reserve Defence Force (First Line) — two; and Reserve Defence Force (Second Line) — two. Last year the numbers were: Permanent Defence Forces — 17; Reserve Defence Force (First Line) — one and Reserve Defence Force (Second Line) — none.

These officers fill administrative appointments and are retained with a view to conserving the strength of the Defence Forces and to release more junior officers for operational duties.

Retentions are not confined to any particular corps and any officer of lieutenant-colonel, commandant or captain rank, on reaching the prescribed retirement age, may apply to be retained in service. The prescribed retirement ages are: lieutenant colonel — 58 years, commandant — 56 years and captain — 54 years.

Mr. Ryan

Will the Minister outline the criteria used for sanctioning requests to serve after the normal date of retirement? Nineteen such requests were sanctioned this year. Will the Minister give a commitment that all officers who are not entitled to a full pension can apply to serve after the normal date of retirment and that they will be considered in the same way as the 19 people who applied this year?

Mr. Daly

A number of Defence Force regulations cover this area. Defence Force Regulation 3/1974 allows for the retention in service up to 60 years of age of commandants and captains to fill administrative appointments in the rank of captain and lieutenant, respectively. There is also Defence Force Regulation 2/1977 and Regulations R1 and R5 which deal with technical officers — doctors, engineers, etc. The best thing I can do is send the information I have with me to the Deputy. If he wants to raise any questions arising from that information I will try to deal with them.

An Ceann Comhairle

That disposes of questions for today.