Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017
781. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding former officers of the Defence Forces who wish to rejoin; the criteria that must be met if an officer wishes to rejoin; if policies will be put in place to facilitate such returning members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3943/17]
View answerThe manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. Personnel are posted on the basis of operational needs across the organisation both at home and abroad. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force, targeted recruitment takes place so as to maintain personnel numbers at or near the agreed strength level. Retention of personnel is also a key priority for the Defence Forces.
One of the key policies supporting personnel retention is the opportunity for extensive personal and professional development offered by the Defence Forces. However, it is also the case that the extensive training that personnel receive makes them very attractive to employers within the private sector. It is within that context and the emergence of skills gaps in certain disciplines within the Defence Forces that the reappointments of former officers may be considered.
There have been relatively few requests and subsequent reappointments of retired personnel. Of those who have returned their reappointments have generally been on the basis that their experience would be an asset to the organization and to fill an identified skills gap, for example in the case of Medical Officers. It is in this context, the range of issues arising in respect of applications from former members of the Defence Forces for reappointment is kept under active review.
