asked the Minister for Defence what period usually elapses between receipt from an officer of the Defence Forces of an application for permission to retire and the granting of such permission, to whom an officer makes his application in the first instance; the persons and authorities subsequently notified of and involved in the handling of such an application; and the prior notice usually given to each such person or authority before a decision is taken.
Written Answers. - Army Office Retirements.
128.
An officer of the Permanent Defence Force who proposes to retire voluntarily is required, under the Defence Act, 1954, to obtain the permission of the Minister for Defence to do so. The form of application for such permission is prescribed in Defence Force regulations.
When making the application the officer normally indicates the date from which he wishes his retirement to be effective. The form of application is submitted by the officer to his commanding officer who transmits it through the headquarters of the command or the head of the military branch concerned to the adjutant general. The latter submits it to the Minister with a recommendation. The Minister deals with the application at the earliest opportunity.
There is no prescribed minimum period between the receipt of an application for permission to retire and the granting of such permission by the Minister. The period varies but the main consideration is to have the application dealt with in such a way and with such expedition as will ensure, as far as may be possible, that the retirement will be effective from the date desired by the applicant.
Notice of the grant of permission to an officer to retire is conveyed to him through normal military channels as soon as the Minister has granted the permission.