Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 7

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Retirement Scheme.

Micheál Martin

Question:

260 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Defence whether a number of soldiers were given four months unpaid leave in 1996 due to the fact that inadequate funding was made available for the implementation of the voluntary retirement scheme in the Irish Army in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5903/97]

Micheál Martin

Question:

261 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Defence whether the funding provided in the 1996 Estimates for the voluntary retirement scheme in the Irish Army was oversubscribed; and if there were delays in implementing it as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5904/97]

Micheál Martin

Question:

262 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Defence whether adequate funding has been made available for the implementation of phase II of the voluntary retirement scheme in the Irish Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5905/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Barrett)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 261 and 262 together.

In the 1996 budget £13 million was provided for the first phase of the voluntary early retirement scheme for members of the Defence Forces. In 1996, 500 personnel left the Defence Forces in accordance with the terms of the scheme. It was never intended, nor would it have been possible, to fund in the first year the release all of the members of the Defence Forces who will leave under the voluntary early retirement scheme. It is expected that the target number will be achieved over a three year period.

Aside from the budgetary considerations it would not be desirable or practical from an organisational point of view to allow the release of the total number in the first year. The aim is to move to an organisation with a total strength of 11,500 over the three year period of the implementation plan.

Following representations which were received on behalf of personnel who had applied for VER in 1996 and whom it was not possible to facilitate because of the oversubscription of the scheme it was decided to grant pre-retirement support leave to personnel who wished to avail of it; 110 personnel availed of this concession.

In 1997 approximately 750 personnel — including 110 personnel who availed of the pre-retirement support leave concession in 1996 — will be released from the Permanent Defence Force under the VER scheme.