Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
482. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the estimated cost of retaining the 700 members of the Defence Forces on post-1994 contracts scheduled to retire in 2022; if a scheme has been introduced by him in order to allow them to remain in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41472/21]
View answerMilitary life places unique demands on individuals and it is necessary that Defence Forces personnel are prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations. To this end, it is vital that the age and health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised in any way. For this reason compulsory retirement ages for ranks in the Permanent Defence Force are considerably lower than in other employments.
I am advised by the military authorities that based on current data the number of Privates and Corporals in receipt of Technical Pay Group 2 or less, who enlisted post 1994 and who will be due to be mandatorily retired by the end of December 2022 is 195. The number of personnel estimated as due to retire in any year can change due to a variety of circumstances including: voluntary retirement, medical retirements before mandatory retirement age, deaths in service, promotion to Senior NCO ranks which have higher mandatory retirement ages, etc.
A review of contracts of service of personnel enlisted post 1 January 1994, is currently underway. The Review is considering appropriate mandatory retirement age limits for Privates, Corporals and Sergeants, as well as senior NCOs. Proposals and recommendations arising from these deliberations will be discussed with PDFORRA on completion of the Review.
