Vol. 489 No. 7
47 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Defence the funding, if any, provided in his Department's budget to ensure further progress of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces; the areas covered by this funding; and the dates for the completion of this work. [9322/98]
The sum of £23.1 million has been provided in this year's estimates in respect of voluntary early retirement (VER) for members of the Permanent Defence Forces. This sum will enable up to 350 PDF personnel to avail of VER in 1998, in addition to meeting carry-over pension costs of £9.5 million arising from the 1996 and 1997 VER schemes. A total of 1,235 PDF personnel were granted VER under the 1996 and 1997 schemes and during these two years, an amount in excess of £45 million was expended on these schemes.
In recent years considerable sums have been expended under the Defence Vote for new weapons, transport and communications equipment and in providing new and upgraded living and operational accommodation for the Defence Forces. It is estimated that, commencing in 1999, net pay savings of the order of £15 million a year will arise from the reduction in the strength of the Permanent Defence Force. From 1999 onwards, 50 per cent of these pay savings will be made available for the procurement of additional equipment and other infrastructural programmes for the Defence Forces.
