Seán Power
Ceist:144 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence the total amount of money to be paid out under the voluntary early retirement scheme; and the number of personnel availing of this scheme. [17097/96]
Written Answers. - Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme.
A sum of £16 million was included in this year's Army Pensions Vote to cover the retirements under the voluntary early retirement — VER — scheme in 1996. To date, 450 personnel have accepted early retirement under the VER scheme at an estimated cost of £14.2 million in 1996. The balance of the £16 million provided is being used to enable an additional 50 or so personnel to retire under the VER scheme this year. There will be a VER scheme in operation during 1997, the details of which are under consideration at present.