Vol. 564 No. 1
160 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence if those soldiers who joined the Defence Forces after 1994 will have their service extended after 12 years; if not, if they will be entitled to a pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8822/03]
The unsatisfactory age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force was commented upon by the Gleeson Commission in its report in 1990 and had been of serious concern to the military authorities for a number of years. The age profile was also the subject of severe criticism by Price Waterhouse Consultants who had been engaged by the efficiency audit group, EAG, to conduct an in-depth study of the Defence Forces. One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the EAG was the development of a manpower policy with an emphasis on lowering the age profile of Permanent Defence Force personnel. The EAG's report was accepted by Government in 1995.
In an effort to alleviate the situation, the Government had already decided in 1993 to enlist personnel on a five year contract basis with a Reserve Force commitment of seven years. The recruitment of personnel on five year contracts was introduced following consultation with the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA.
In 1997 agreement was reached with PDFORRA on a new manpower policy for the Defence Forces. This policy, applying to personnel enlisted after 1 January 1994, provided that service for private soldiers would initially be for five years with the option to be extended to a maximum of 12 years. Any extension was subject to the individual soldier meeting certain criteria to include standards of medical and physical fitness and conduct. Longer periods of service were envisaged for junior and senior non-commissioned officers. The new policy represented a substantial improvement for personnel who would otherwise have had to leave after five years' service while continuing to address the issues of age profile and fitness levels in the Defence Forces. I am satisfied with these existing arrangements.
PDFORRA recently submitted a claim under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for a further review of the terms of service applying to personnel enlisting in the Permanent Defence Force after 1 January 1994. As discussions on issues raised under the conciliation and arbitration scheme are confidential to the parties concerned, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
The Defence Forces pensions schemes provide for the grant of superannuation benefits in the form of pensions and-or gratuities to retired members of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF. All members of the PDF are automatically covered by the terms of those schemes from the date they join the force. All benefits under the schemes are payable immediately on retirement after relatively short service and regardless of age. In the case of enlisted personnel, the minimum service to qualify for pension and gratuity is 21 years, while a minimum of three years' service is required to qualify for a service gratuity only.
