asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans or proposals to award pensions and or gratuities to long serving members of the FCA who have been in permanent service for several years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - FCA Pensions.
18.
An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil is a component of the Reserve Defence Force with conditions of service different from those of the Permanent Defence Force. Service in An Forsa is normally part time and even when a member is on full time service, he is in a position which is fundamentally different from that of a member of the Permanent Defence Force. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate to seek to apply to FCA personnel provisions similar to those in the Defence Forces pensions schemes which cater for the Permanent Defence Force.