Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 7

Written Questions. - Defence Forces Retirement Scheme.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Question:

11 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Defence when an early retirement package will be made available to Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17531/95]

Seán Power

Question:

19 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence if his commitment to introduce a voluntary retirement scheme in 1995 will be honoured; and the anticipated numbers in the Defence Forces who might avail of this scheme in 1996. [17500/95]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 19 together.

The Government has accepted the broad conclusions of the Efficiency Audit Group (EAG) arising from its review of the Defence Forces. As many of the reforms proposed by the EAG can only be attained over a longer time-frame, the Government has asked me to bring forward, in the first instance, proposals which are attainable within the next three years.

An implementation group has been established to prepare a fully costed development plan aimed at producing an organisation with an overall target strength of 11,500 personnel. In that context the implementation group is addressing the formulation of a voluntary early retirement scheme which will be the subject of consultations with the Defence Forces representative associations. I intend putting my proposals on these issues to Government shortly. At this stage, however, I wish to emphasise that there will be no compulsory redundancies and that any retirements which may take place will be on a voluntary basis. The Defence Forces representative associations are being consulted on all matters arising from the EAG review which come within their scope of representation. Proposals on a voluntary early retirement scheme will be discussed with both RACO and PDFORRA when the details have been agreed by Government.
Top
Share