Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 5

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Personnel.

Noel Ahern

Question:

54 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Defence Forces in terms of officers, non-commissioned officers and privates; the number of each category on pension and disability pensions; if disability cases also have a service pension; the number of serving and former members who have received compensation from personal injury claims in the past ten years; if the number on disability pension is increasing; if independent assessment is made on a disability case; and if the number on disability is greater in percentage terms than would be expected compared to similar workers at home or abroad. [6585/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

(a) The current strength of the Permanent Defence Force is 11,267, comprised of 1,305 officers, 97 cadets, 4,083 non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and 5,782 privates.

(b) There are 1,136 retired officers and 5,235 retired NCOs and privates currently in receipt of service pensions; the numbers in receipt of disability pensions from my Department are 122 retired officers and 649 retired NCOs and privates.

(c) There are 110 retired officers and 353 retired NCOs and privates in receipt of both a service pension and a disability pension.

(d) Since 1 January 1989, the total number of serving and former members who have received compensation in respect of personal injury claims is 3,490.

(e) The number of retired personnel in receipt of disability pensions has remained relatively static over the past ten years, with 776 recipients at 31/12/89 and 774 recipients at 31/12/98.

(f) Applicants for disability pension are medically examined and assessed by the Army Pensions Board, which is an independent statutory body appointed under the Army Pensions Acts to investigate and report on such applications. The board may also refer applicants for medical assessment to outside specialists, in order to assist with its deliberations.

(g) My Department has no information regarding the numbers in receipt of disability pensions in employments outside the Defence Forces, whether at home or abroad.