The person in question was discharged from the Permanent Defence Force in the rank of company quartermaster-sergeant on 24 November 1985. He was granted a pension and a gratuity appropriate to his rank and his service of 21 years in accordance with the Defence Forces pensions schemes. Under those schemes, the gratuity was based on one week's pay for each year of his service.
Arising from the 1988 report of the InterDepartmental Committee on Defence Forces Pay, Allowances and Conditions, the basis for the computation of retirement gratuities was changed for soldiers retiring on or after 1 January 1989. The gratuity was increased to 25 weeks' pay in respect of 21 years' service, together with a further two weeks' pay per year in excess of 21 years up to a maximum gratuity of 45 weeks' pay in respect of 31 or more years' service. The previous maximum gratuity was 31 weeks' pay.
On foot of a recommendation made in the 1990 report of the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces — the Gleeson Commission — provision was made for additions to pensions and gratuities in respect of military service allowance. This arrangement applies, subject to certain conditions, only to personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990.
As the person in question retired prior to the effective dates of the changes mentioned, he is not eligible to benefit from these changes.
