asked the Minister for Defence the reasons why N.C.O.s and men with fifteen years or less service in the Defence Forces receive gratuities on retirement while N.C.O.s and men with service of twenty-one years and over receive no gratuity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gratuities in Defence Forces.
19.
Mr. Ryan
Under the provisions of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes, non-commissioned officers and men who complete a total of 21 years' or more service in na Buan-Óglaigh or who are discharged on grounds of age or disability on the completion of not less than 15 years' service are awarded pensions. Non-commissioned officers and men who do not qualify for pensions under the foregoing provisions are, instead, entitled to receive gratuities calculated by reference to an appropriate sum for each year of qualifying service.