Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Feb 1995

Vol. 448 No. 4

Written Answers. - Data on Defence Forces.

Seán Ryan

Question:

148 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the number of officers of Na Buan Óglaigh on 31 December 1994, who were holding acting higher ranks; the number of such appointments which are unpaid; the number of such ranks occassioned by United Nations, EU or other missions; the higher ranks held by Command and Corps; the reasons for such a number of acting higher paid ranks; and the number of officers by rank, corps and command who are serving beyond their normal retirement date. [2302/95]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Coveney)

There were 198 officers of the Permanent Defence Force serving in acting ranks on 31 December, 1994. A breakdown on this number by rank, Corps and Command is given in the schedule which I will circulate with the Official Report.

Promotion to acting rank, mainly arises when officers are promoted to fill temporary vacancies created by the assignment of personnel on duty overseas with United Nations, European Union or other missions. Officers so promoted are normally made substantive in their new rank after a period of service in an acting capacity. Pay and allowances are the same for acting and substantive ranks.

On 31 December, 1994, 24 officers of the Permanent Defence Force were serving beyond normal retirement age. A breakdown of this number by rank, Corps and Command is given in the attached schedule.

	Lieutenant Colonel	Commandant	Captain	Total
Corps
Infantry	12	45	27	84
Artillery	2	6	3	11
Cavalry	—	5	6	11
Engineer	—	1	4	5
Signals	2	2	3	7
Ordance	—	2	1	3
Supply and Transport	—	5	8	13
Medical	1	3	—	4
Military Police	1	3	1	5
Air Corps	—	20	15	35
Naval Service	—	15	—	15
Observer Corps	—	1	—	1
Army School of Music	1	1	2	4
Totals	19	109	70	198
Commands
Eastern	14	41	22	77
Southern	1	8	6	15
Western	—	7	3	10
Curragh	4	19	21	44
Air Corps	—	19	16	35
Naval Service	—	15	2	17
Totals	19	109	70	198

Officers of the Permanent Defence Forces Serving Beyond Normal Retiring Age on 31 December, 1994

	Lieutenant Colonel	Commandant	Captain	Total
Corps
Infantry	3	5	8	16
Cavalry	1	—	1	2
Engineer	—	—	1	1
Signals	2	1	—	3
Supply and Transport	—	1	—	1
Special Establishments	1	—	—	1
Totals	7	7	10	24
Commands
Eastern	5	3	4	12
Southern	—	1	2	3
Western	—	3	2	5
Curragh	2	—	2	4
Totals	7	7	10	24