Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Retirement Age Exemptions.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

9 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the mandatory retirement age for each rank in the Defence Forces; the number by rank, command and corps who at 1 January 1990 are serving after the ages specified; the procedures for gaining such exemptions; whether there are any changes in duties for those given permission to serve after the normal retirement age; the rationale for providing this privilege; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. Lenihan

The information sought by the Deputy in the first two parts of the question is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

With regard to non-commissioned personnel Defence Force Regulations provide for continuance in service after age 60, subject to medical suitability, for a period not exceeding one year so as to permit of 21 years' qualifying service for pension purposes. A man who wishes to be retained in service is required to submit an application for retention to the Adjutant-General. Normally there are no changes in the duties of personnel so retained.

Any officer who wishes to be considered for retention in service beyond the normal retirement age for his rank may submit an application in the matter. Approval is granted in the case of officers who are selected by the Chief of Staff to fill specific appointments and in regard to whom the Minister for Defence is satisfied that it would be in the best interests of the service if they continued to serve beyond the ages prescribed in regulations for retirement.

Some years ago, as one of a number of urgent measures to conserve the numerical strength of the Permanent Defence Force, and in the context of a shortage of Junior Officers, Defence Force Regulations were made which permit that line Commandants and Captains may be retained in service up to 60 years of age. Commandants and Captains retained under this scheme fill administrative appointments appropriate to the ranks of Captain and Lieutenant, respectively, so that Junior Officers filling designated administrative appointments can be released for operational duties.

The position of line Lieutenant-Colonels was also reviewed against the background of a much-expanded Permanent Defence Force and new operational requirements of the Defence Forces. As a result of this review Defence Force Regulations were made which permit the retention in service of Lieu-tenant-Colonels up to 60 years of age. Lieutenant-Colonels retained under this scheme fill temporary appointments supernumerary to establishments. Following is the statement:

Retirement ages for members of the Permanent Defence Force

Part I

Defence Force Regulations prescribe that the normal retirement ages for members of the Permanent Defence Force shall be as follows:

Rank	Retirement Age
	years
Lieutenant-General	63
Major-General	62
Brigadier-General	61
Colonel	60
Lieutenant-Colonel	58
Commandant	56
Captain	54
Lieutenant	47
Second-Lieutenant	47
Other Ranks	60

The Regulations also provide that in the case of officers employed in professional appointments (medical, dental, veterinary, legal, pharmaceutical chemist, engineer) the retirement ages shall be as follows:

Rank	Retirement Age
	years
Colonel	65
Lieutenant-Colonel	65
Commandant	65
Captain	64

Part II

The number of officers serving on 1 January 1990 that have been retained beyond the normal retirement ages for their ranks is as follows:

Rank	Command	Corps	Number
Lieutenant-Colonel	Eastern	Supply and Transport	1
Lieutenant-Colonel	Southern	Infantry	1
Lieutenant-Colonel	Western	Infantry	2
Commandant	Southern	Cavalry	1
Commandant	Eastern	Signal	1
Commandant	Eastern	Infantry	2
Commandant	Southern	Infantry	1
Commandant	Eastern	Cavalry	1
Lieutenant-Commander	Naval Service	Naval Service	2
Captain	Curragh	Infantry	2
Lieutenant	Eastern	Artillery	1

On 1 January 1990 there was no NCO serving beyond age 60.