Vol. 490 No. 1
43 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence if he will introduce the third phase of voluntary early retirement for the Army; if so, when this is likely to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter detailing the numbers who took advantage of the scheme to date. [9675/98]
The extent and the details of a voluntary early retirement, VER, scheme for 1998 are being considered. A sum of £23.1 million which includes the carry-over pension costs of £9.5 million arising from the 1996 and 1997 schemes has been provided in this year's Estimates in respect of such a scheme. This sum should enable up to 350 Permanent Defence Force personnel to avail of VER in 1998.
In 1996, 500 personnel were granted voluntary early retirement and last year, 735 personnel were granted VER. In the past two years, over £45 million has been expended on these schemes.
