Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 November 2005
16 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Defence the cost and other implications in relation to an increase in the retirement age for captains, commandants and lieutenant colonels by two years each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32023/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current retirement ages are 54 for captain, 56 for commandant and 58 for lieutenant colonel. Higher ranks have retiring ages ranging from 60 to 63 years of age. As there are no immediate plans to alter these I have not undertaken a detailed study on the cost implication of any change.
The 2000 White Paper on Defence and the earlier Defence Force review implementation plan, both in the context of a Defence Force personnel management system, recommended reduction to retirement ages and the introduction of short service commissions for some officers in the Defence Force. These measures were designed to address the shortage of junior officers, improve the age profile of officers and ensure mobility.
Any increase in retirement ages would not only have a cost implication but would also impact on the promotion outlets for officers further down the line of officer ranks. While it would permit some officers to lengthen their careers in these ranks it would, in the absence of short service commissions for other officers, also act as a disincentive for the officers who would be required to wait longer for promotion to a higher rank. It would also have an immediate impact on the number of positions available to be filled from the annual cadetship competition since the number of cadets offered cadetships is based on the projected number of officer vacancies which occur as a result of retirements, that is, age retirements, voluntary retirements and resignations.
Currently, very few officers retire at age 54 in the rank of captain or at age 56 in the rank of commandant. Officers more commonly retire in the rank of lieutenant colonel at the maximum retirement age for that rank of 58.
The Representative Association for Commissioned Officers has sought a common retirement of 58 for all officers. While this would see an increase retirement age for junior officers it would see a significant reduction in that of senior officers. My Department is looking at this proposal in the context of the implication for promotion arrangement, future intake of both short service and long-term commissions and, most importantly, the operational effectiveness of the Defence Forces.
