Vol. 480 No. 8
90 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the numbers who have left the Defence Forces in the year 1996-97 outside of the voluntary early retirement scheme and normal retirement; the reasons given by those who have left in this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15257/97]
In 1996 a total of 363 personnel left the Defence Forces other than under the voluntary early retirement scheme or on reaching their normal retirement ages. To date in 1997, 297 personnel have left the forces. The reasons for such departures are numerous and varied and range from having obtained civilian employment, for medical reasons, voluntary retirements, transfers to the Reserve Defence Force and 25 members died while still serving.
