Dan Wallace
Question:14 Mr. D. Wallace asked the Minister for Defence the number of members who retired from the armed forces in the past 12 months; and their age distribution. [9046/95]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Retirements.
In the period from 1 May 1994 to 30 April 1995 a total of 46 officers and 351 non-commissioned personnel retired, were discharged or were transferred to the reserve.
The age distribution of the officers in question was as follows:
|
under 30 years |
— |
3 |
|
over 30 and under 40 years |
— |
13 |
|
over 40 and under 50 years |
— |
10 |
|
over 50 and under 60 years |
— |
4 |
|
over 60 years |
— |
16 |
|
— |
||
|
46 |
||
|
— |
The age distribution of the non-commissioned personnel is not readily available and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Is the Minister concerned that more than 350 personnel in one category in the Army retired within one year? What is his view on the age distribution of the officers? Unfortunately he did not give the information on non-commissioned officers and therefore I cannot compare the retirement figures with those of the Garda and teachers.
The precise breakdown of the 351 non-commissioned personnel is not available at present but as soon as it comes to hand I will send it to the Deputy. It is recognised that the age profile of the Defence Forces is relatively high given the work they do. Because of the physical nature of some military operations, the work cannot readily be compared with that of teachers. The age profile has increased substantially in the last decade or so. I will give further information on that matter in reply to a later question.
Pending the introduction of an early retirement scheme, which has been announced on a number of occasions, will the Minister accept that the numbers retiring from the Army have reduced considerably? In that context does he hope to put in place the early retirement scheme as early as possible this year?
The question is essentially statistical and matters of policy in respect of pensions and so on ought not therefore arise.
My question relates to the effect of the statistics.
In anticipation of the retirement package the number retiring has decreased, and that makes it more desirable to proceed with the package. The results of the overall review will be put to Government, probably the week after next. There will then be a three-month implementation period in which we will work out the details of the package. During that period detailed discussions will take place between the representative associations, my Department and the Department of Finance. I hope to have the package ready in the latter half of this year.