asked the Minister for Defence if he will state whether the periods of service of members of the Defence Forces (permanent force) were extended beyond the appropriate age limit during 1950; and, if so, the number of (a) officers; (b) N.C.O.s, and (c) privates, who reached the retiring age limit during 1950 and who continued in service by reason of such extension of service beyond the age limit.
- Army Service.
(a) In no case was the period of service of an officer of the permanent force extended beyond the appropriate age limit during 1950.
(b) Strictly speaking, there is no age limit for N.C.O.s and privates. Regulations provide that a period of continuance in Army service in excess of 21 years shall not be approved in the case of a non-commissioned officer or man, if such continuance would result in his serving beyond the age of 49 years, but this limitation may be waived by the Adjutant-General, where a man is medically fit and the Adjutant-General is satisfied that his continuance in service would be in the best interests of the service. During the period 1st January, 1950, to 31st October, 1950, the limitation mentioned was waived by the Adjutant-General in respect of 78 N.C.O.s and 103 privates.
Major de Valera
Do these figures mean that the average age of the personnel of the Defence Forces tends to rise as compared with the average age some time ago?
That is a mathematical question, but, offhand, I should say that the answer would be in the affirmative, that we keep them on longer.