Charles Flanagan
Ceist:103 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence the number of captains in the Army on 1 January 1998; the number who resigned and retired during 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4959/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Retirement Scheme.
Derek McDowell
Ceist:130 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the number of officers leaving the Defence Forces prematurely; the number of officers who left early during 1998 and the comparative figures for 1997; the steps, if any, he is taking to deal with the losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4996/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 130 together.
The strength of captains (including the Naval Service rank equivalent of lieutenant) in the Permanent Defence Force on 1 January, 1998 was 501. In 1997 61 captains retired from the Permanent Defence Force and 48 captains retired in 1998.
Details of the number of commissioned officers who retired from the Permanent Defence Force in 1998 and the corresponding figure for 1997 are shown in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
It has always been the case that when the economy is doing well, members of the Permanent Defence Force avail of the attractive pension scheme which is available to them and take up civilian employment.
The policy of continuous recruitment (including cadets) which the Government has introduced together with the commissioning of suitable non commissioned officers will ensure that the strength of officers in the Permanent Defence Force will at all times be sufficient.
Retirements by Category 1997-1998.
|
Age |
Voluntary |
VoluntaryEarlyRetirement |
Completion of Short Service Commission |
Death |
Total |
|
|
1997 |
16.00 |
41.00 |
68.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
127.00 |
|
1998 |
21.00 |
67.00 |
1.00 |
Nil |
1.00 |
90 |
|
Total |
37.00 |
108.00 |
69.00 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
217.00 |
Officers of the Defence Forces may retire in accordance with the provisions of the Defence Act, 1954, and the relevant Defence Force Regulations A 15 which are available in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas. In the years 1997 to 1998 a number of officers were permitted to retire under the terms of a voluntary early retirement scheme.