Vol. 480 No. 8
24 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Defence the average age of soldiers in the Irish Army; his views on the most desirable average age; when he sees that age being achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15162/97]
The current average age of enlisted personnel in the Permanent Defence Force is 34.50 years. The overall average age for all ranks is 34.9 years.
One of the most serious problems facing the Defence Forces which was identified by the Efficiency Audit Review Group and their consultants, Price Waterhouse, was the high age profile of the members of the Defence Forces. As part of the restructuring and reorganisation of the Defence Forces which is taking place at present is the putting in place of a comprehensive manpower policy.
A voluntary early retirement scheme was introduced in 1996 and this together with a reduction in the upper age limit for recruits is a first step towards addressing the age profile problem.
