Deirdre Clune
Question:109 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider granting discharge to a person (details supplied) under the terms of DFRRAIO, paragraph 58(s); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15936/99]
Written Answers. - Extension of Service.
The person referred to enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force in April 1989 for a period of ten years, comprising six years in the Permanent Defence Force and four years in the Reserve Defence Force. He subsequently extended his period of service with a view to completing 12 years in the Permanent Defence Force. On so extending his service, he qualified for payment of an extension of service gratuity.
In September 1998, he applied to be discharged, by purchase, from the Permanent Defence Force and his application was approved by the military authorities. He was discharged by purchase in November 1998. In accordance with the provisions of Defence Force regulations, the cost of his discharge by purchase was set at £132.00, after the maximum permitted reduction under the regulations had been allowed. In accordance with the provisions of Defence Force regulations, a member of the Defence Forces who seeks to be discharged within a year of extending his service to complete 12 years, is obliged to refund a portion of the extension of service gratuity previously paid. In this case, the amount to be refunded was £112.50. Under the provisions of the Defence Forces (pensions) schemes, gratuities are not payable to personnel who are discharged from the Defence Forces by purchase. The Defence Force regulations and the terms of the Defence Forces (pensions) schemes are of general application and exceptions cannot be made in individual cases.