Written Answers Nos. 2071-2091
2071. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38905/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the need for, and objectives of, expenditure programmes are kept under regular review, there are at present no specific programmes being funded from my Department's Vote for 2017 that are likely to yield significant savings in 2018. Indeed, in relation to housing, additional funding requirements are recognised and provided for in the €5.35 billion of funding committed to under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness for the period to 2021 and this issue is being considered further in the context of the ongoing review of the Plan.
2072. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide a list of all Part V housing units funded by his Department in the past 12 months, by housing development listing; the number of units in each development; and the cost to his Department for units on each development, in tabular form. [38929/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 made a number of amendments to Part V of the Act, following the outcome of an independent review, which included a consultation process. The amendments, effective from 1 September 2015, sought to maximise the contribution Part V can make to social housing supply and sustainable mixed-tenure communities across the country.
A principal change was the reduction in the requirement from 20% to 10%. This reduction needs to be considered together with other amendments which reduced the options contained in section 96 for the delivery of units within a Part V agreement. The payment of cash in lieu of units or the transfer of sites or parts of sites was removed, and instead the remaining options are focused on the delivery of completed units. The current options for Part V delivery are:
- the transfer of ownership of land, subject to the planning permission application, to a local authority for the provision of social housing remains the default option as is currently the case;
- the transfer of ownership to the local authority, or persons nominated, of completed social housing units on other land. There is no longer a requirement for the developer to build housing units on other land to fulfil his/her Part V obligations;
- the Part V obligation can now be fulfilled by developers through long term leasing of properties; and
- a combination of the Part V options above is also allowed.
The provision of land rather than houses remains the default position if the developer wishes to exercise that option. The other principle change is that with effect from 1 September 2015, any relevant planning permission granted must contain a condition that the Part V agreement be entered into prior to the lodging of a commencement notice. This is a significant change, which should frontload the delivery of social housing units to the local authority.
The Department supports local authorities and approved housing bodies to acquire these units through the provision of capital assistance under the Social Housing Capital Investment Programme (SHCIP), Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and also provides a mechanism for the long-term leasing of Part V units under the Social Housing Current Expenditure programme (SHCEP). As such, there is no one dedicated funding scheme for Part V units.
It should be noted that some developments completed in 2016/2017 may have been subject to older Part V agreements made before 1 September 2015, when other options - such as a financial contribution, the provision of fully or partially serviced sites or the provision of land elsewhere in the functional area of the planning authority - were available. Therefore it should be understood that because the Part V units currently being delivered may originate from either developments under old permissions/ agreements or new agreements, costs differ and an average cost would not be indicative.
Details on the number of social housing properties constructed, purchased and leased by local authorities and approved housing bodies, for letting to those on their social housing waiting lists, are published on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. Information is currently being finalised in respect of quarter one of 2017 and will be published shortly, with information on quarter two 2017 to follow thereafter. Specific data relating to 2016 social housing output arising from Part V agreements will be available on my Department's website shortly.
2073. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government what grants or financial supports available to persons who own their own house in circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38949/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides capital funding to local authorities for Improvement Works In Lieu (IWILs) to enable them to repair, improve or extend privately owned houses that are occupied by approved housing applicants, as an alternative to the provision of local authority housing.
IWILs are administered under the Disabled Person’s Grants (DPG) scheme and it is a matter for each local authority to prioritise their need under the scheme, including cases such as the one referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied.
My Department requests submissions for proposals under the scheme every year from local authorities and funding is provided to the authorities based on the scale of need identified. It should be noted that the administration of the scheme, including its promotion, the assessment of applications and the allocation of funds for the works, is a matter for each local authority based on their assessment of need and value for money considerations.
2074. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the collection rates for commercial rates by each local authority; the amounts collected in the last year for which figures are available in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38965/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation pursuant to the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation of each property determined by the Valuation Office, to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority in the annual budget and its determination is a reserved function. Rates income is a very important contribution to the cost of services provided by local authorities such as roads, public lighting, development control, parks and open spaces.
The latest available audited information relates to 2015 and the table below sets out the percentage and amount collected by each local authority.
|
Local Authority |
2015 % |
Collected € |
|
Carlow |
84% |
11,350,009 |
|
Cavan |
82% |
11,943,256 |
|
Clare |
82% |
36,985,564 |
|
Cork City |
78% |
61,224,285 |
|
Cork |
86% |
119,163,164 |
|
Donegal |
63% |
24,692,578 |
|
Dublin |
88% |
314,107,645 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
85% |
77,695,710 |
|
Fingal |
96% |
115,423,490 |
|
Galway City |
72% |
31,941,718 |
|
Galway |
81% |
21,571,674 |
|
Kerry |
80% |
33,518,689 |
|
Kildare |
82% |
50,938,296 |
|
Kilkenny |
92% |
15,877,981 |
|
Laois |
75% |
9,898,811 |
|
Leitrim |
79% |
4,226,300 |
|
Limerick |
75% |
51,391,697 |
|
Longford |
82% |
6,396,247 |
|
Louth |
60% |
25,578,002 |
|
Mayo |
80% |
19,729,275 |
|
Meath |
85% |
29,289,390 |
|
Monaghan |
77% |
10,523,911 |
|
Offaly |
85% |
11,463,251 |
|
Roscommon |
93% |
8,751,416 |
|
Sligo |
74% |
10,608,718 |
|
South Dublin |
81% |
107,685,870 |
|
Tipperary |
78% |
26,063,250 |
|
Waterford |
79% |
29,521,260 |
|
Westmeath |
79% |
12,706,214 |
|
Wexford |
75% |
27,447,399 |
|
Wicklow |
76% |
26,778,891 |
|
Total |
€1,344,493,961 |
2075. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will introduce an older persons' housing designation for private sector housing schemes which would facilitate older persons in downsizing and would also ensure that such schemes would remain in use for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38993/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2076. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will give consideration to requiring a fixed percentage of housing development to be dedicated to older persons' housing in order to cater for full life cycle housing location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38994/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2077. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide funding and set targets for the operation of the financial contribution scheme in view of its success in the past, the popularity of the scheme with older persons and the sustainability of the freeing up of family homes in established housing estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38995/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2075 to 2077, inclusive, together.
My Department is committed to supporting older people to live in their own home with dignity and independence for as long as possible, as this has the best outcomes both for the individual and for society as a whole. Rebuilding Ireland aims to ensure that older people have a range of housing choices available to them and there is an overall commitment to examine the potential of targeted schemes to meet differing housing needs. To this end, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health, is developing policy options for supported housing/housing with care so that older people have a wider range of accommodation choices available to them, options that will enable them to choose accommodation that is appropriate and suited to their needs.
Planning authorities are required, under section 94 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, to include a housing strategy in their development plans which must outline the authorities’ plans for the existing and future housing needs of the population of their areas. The housing strategy must include provisions to ensure that a mixture of house types and sizes is developed to reasonably match the requirements of the different categories of households including the special requirements of elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Housing strategies must also have regard to relevant policies or objectives of the Government.
Local authorities are already involved in projects to enable older persons to downsize from accommodation that has become too large for them. The financial contribution scheme is a scheme operated by Dublin City Council which facilitated older people to downsize thus potentially freeing up these larger homes for use as family units. The scheme is currently under review by the City Council. Cork City Council have a similar 'downsizing scheme' for both social housing tenants and private home owners and other local authorities are considering options for similar schemes. The recently launched Annamore Court in Ballyfermot is an example of a scheme that incorporates downsizing options.
2078. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of persons who have left the Defence Forces in 2015 and 2016 and to date 2017, not including mandatory retirements, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36780/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2079. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of persons within the Defence Forces who have taken mandatory retirement in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017; the number estimated to take mandatory retirement in each of the years 2018 to 2020, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36781/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2078 and 2079 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. Figures quoted for 2017 are accurate to 31st August, 2017.
Personnel exiting Defence Forces excluding Mandatory Retirements
|
Year |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Number of personnel |
440 |
529 |
335 |
Personnel exiting Defence Forces by way of Mandatory Retirement
|
Year |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Number of personnel |
116 |
126 |
99 |
Estimated mandatory retirements from 2018 to 2020
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Estimated Number |
61 |
82 |
98 |
The term “mandatory retirement” encompasses personnel who fall into such categories as those who have retired on age grounds and those who fall below required medical standards. The term “not including mandatory retirement” encompasses personnel who fall into such categories as those who leave at their own request, those who leave by way of purchasing their discharge and those who leave the Defence Forces having served 21 years.
The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with operational requirements. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force, targeted recruitment has been and is currently taking place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels. In 2017, the Defence Forces are targeting an increase in the level of recruitment across the range of recruitment streams. The 2017 Cadet competition was launched on 22 March 2017. A total of 100 Cadet inductions are due to take place in September 2017.
General service recruitment campaigns for both the Army and Naval Service were launched earlier this year. The competitions have now progressed and general service recruitment has commenced. It is also planned to launch another general service recruitment campaign later this month.
2080. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the efforts to procure a multi-role vessel for the Naval Service; the projected cost of acquiring this vessel; and when this vessel is due to come into service. [36890/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most significant investment of recent years by the Defence Organisation has been on the procurement of the new Off-Shore Patrol Vessels for the Naval Service. The third ship in the programme, LÉ William Butler Yeats was commissioned in October 2016, joining LÉ Samuel Beckett and LÉ James Joyce in operational service. A contract for an additional sister ship was placed with Babcock International in June 2016 at a cost of €54.3m, bringing investment in the new ships programme to over €250 million since 2010. The fourth ship, to be named LÉ George Bernard Shaw, is scheduled for delivery in mid 2018. This aligns with the project planning process in place under the White Paper on Defence which will determine the Defence Organisation’s maritime capability requirements.
The White Paper provides for the replacement of the current flagship, LÉ Eithne, by a multi-role vessel (MRV). LÉ Eithne was built in 1984. It is the Government’s intent that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks, both at home and overseas. In addition, the two existing Coastal Patrol Vessels, LÉ Ciara and LÉ Orla (also built in 1984) are due for replacement in the coming years. It is outlined in the White Paper that these ships will be replaced with similar type vessels with countermine and counter IED capabilities. Work has commenced in the Department of Defence on the next phase of the Naval Service Vessel Replacement Programme. The planning process is underway which will see specifications for the replacement vessels drawn up to meet the required operational capabilities. The initial focus will be on the requirement for a multi-role vessel. It is the intention to hold a public tender competition in due course to cover the supply of the MRV subject to the availability of funding within the overall Defence capital funding envelope. The cost of the MRV will only be known once the tender competition is concluded. It is too early to estimate when the MRV is expected to enter operational service.
2081. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the fact that Civil Defence transactions are overwhelmingly carried out in cash; his further views on whether he is satisfied with the oversight mechanisms in place; his plans to change the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36907/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI do not accept that Civil Defence transactions are overwhelmingly carried out in cash. Funding for Civil Defence operations is shared on a 70/30 basis between my Department and local authorities by way of an annual grant to each authority. The grant covers all allowable administration and running costs for Civil Defence in each local authority. This grant and all other transactions in relation to Civil Defence are dealt with through my Department's financial management system and are carried out in line with public financial procedures.
Civil Defence operations at local level are carried out under the control of the relevant local authority. The annual grant to each local authority is issued following a detailed examination of certified financial returns on the previous year’s expenditure. This includes confirmation by the local authority that a control environment is in place to ensure accountability for all income, expenditure, donations or gifts in relation to the operation of Civil Defence.
Separately, the external auditor for Local Government includes the Civil Defence grants as part of its annual audit agenda.
2082. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of political staff employed in his Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisors, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work within his Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36950/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following are the details of staff currently employed in my offices in the Department of Defence in Newbridge, in Government Buildings and in my constituency.
|
Grade |
Role |
Salary Scale |
|
1 Higher Executive Officer * |
Private Secretary |
€47,081 - €61,224 |
|
1 Executive Officer |
Private Office (Newbridge) |
€28,739 - €48,975 |
|
2 Clerical Officer |
Private Office (Newbridge) |
€23,565 - €37,267 |
|
1 Special Adviser |
€79,401 - €91,624 |
|
|
1 Press Adviser |
€79,401 - €91,624 |
|
|
2 Civilian Drivers |
€631.75 pw |
|
|
2 Clerical Officers |
Private Office (Government Buildings) |
€23,565 - €37,267 |
* A Private Secretary Allowance of €20,685 is payable to the holder of this post.
All appointments set out above were made in accordance with the relevant "Instructions to Personnel Officers - Ministerial Appointments" issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
My constituency office is staffed by one Parliamentary Assistant and one Secretarial Assistant, both of whom are paid by the Houses of the Oireachtas and as such my Department does not have salary information in relation to these members of staff.
In the period January 2015 – May 2016 the following staff were employed in Ministerial Offices in the Department of Defence.
Minister of Defence
Grade
Role
Salary Scale
1 Higher Executive Officer**
Private Secretary
€47,081 - €61,224
1 Executive Officer
Private Office
(Newbridge)
€28,739 - €48,975
1 Staff Officer
Private Office
(Newbridge)
€34,070 - €44,906
1 Clerical Officer
Private Office
(Newbridge)
€23,565 - €37,267
Minister of State
Grade
Role
Salary Scale
1 Higher Executive Officer**
Private Secretary
€47,081 - €61,224
2 Civilian Drivers
€631.75 per week
* * A Private Secretary Allowance of € 19,653 was pay able to the holder of these posts.
All appointments set out above were made in accordance with the relevant "Instructions to Personnel Officers - Ministerial Appointments ” issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
2083. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1726 and 1727 of 26 July 2017, his views on whether the stock management in the Defence Forces pharmacy may be inadequate. [36975/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2084. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason for the very different figures, for the number of doxycycline tablets purchased, provided in response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 622 of 17 July 2012 and 1727 of 26 July 2017; and the reason for the difference, of almost 20,000 tablets reported as purchased, in the two replies. [37014/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2083 and 2084 together.
I am advised by the military authorities that the stock management policy and processes in the Defence Forces are reviewed on an annual basis. I am informed that stock levels are predominately demand-driven and that pharmaceutical requirements are met where possible under a ‘Just in Time’ model which leads to next day delivery directly to the patient site resulting in decreased lead times and lower stock holdings.
The military authorities have indicated that strategic stocks levels of certain medical items are maintained and that these levels are influenced by operational demands and contingencies .
With regard to the difference in figures provided in previous PQ’s in relation to the number of doxycycline tablets purchased, the military authorities have advised that the figures provided are currently being examined. I will issue a further response to you as soon as possible.
2085. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women and men, respectively, employed in his Department, in tabular form. [37069/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 31 August 2017, the number of women and men respectively employed as civil servants in my Department is as follows:
|
Women |
Men |
Total |
|
230 |
123 |
353 |
2086. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of men and women, respectively, in his Department who hold posts (details supplied). [37080/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of women and men respectively employed in my Department as of 31 August 2017 that hold posts as Secretary General, Second Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Assistant Secretary/Director, Principal and Assistant Principal is as follows:
|
Post |
Women |
Men |
|
Secretary General |
0 |
1 |
|
Second Secretary |
0 |
0 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
0 |
0 |
|
Assistant Secretary /Director |
1 |
3 |
|
Principal |
6 |
9 |
|
Assistant Principal |
12 |
28 |
2087. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there are functions and responsibilities he has not delegated as Minister for Defence to the Minister of State for Defence; and if so the details of same. [37140/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPursuant to the Defence (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order (S.I No.299 of 2017), statutory responsibility for a wide range of Defence matters as provided for in enactments relating to the Department of Defence has been delegated to me. As well as specifying the powers that have been delegated, the Order also specifies the Ministerial powers and responsibilities arising under these enactments that have not been delegated. These are as follows:
- the powers conferred under the enactments specified in the Order to prosecute an offence;
- powers arising under sections 11, 17, 87 and 88 of the Defence Act 1954.
2088. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost his Department incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees; the financial institutions to which the payments were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37222/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe costs incurred by my Department in each of the past five years in respect of credit card/banking fees are set out in the table below:
|
Credit Card/ Banking Fees 2013 |
Credit Card/ Banking Fees 2014 |
Credit Card/ Banking Fees 2015 |
Credit Card/ Banking Fees 2016 |
Credit Card/ Banking Fees 2017 |
|
€41 |
€275 |
€367.77 |
€413.62 |
€193.53 |
My Department has a credit card policy in place which lays out the conditions for the use of business credit cards issued by the Department. The cardholder is obliged to certify that expenditure on the cards was incurred for official purposes only and in accordance with the Department’s guidelines on the use of credit cards. Expenditure on the cards is subject to continuous monitoring by the appropriate authority.
Bank of Ireland is the institute to which payments set out in the table were made.
2089. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the supports in place for members of the Permanent Defence Forces who become homeless; the number of such cases in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37292/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the first instance the issue of housing is a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
If individuals are not in a position to secure housing in their own right it may be the case that they qualify for social housing or that they qualify for housing assistance. When requested to do so, the Department and the Defence Forces provide whatever support possible, including documentation, to assist personnel in accessing available housing supports. In addition, the services of the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service are also available if required.
The Personnel Support Service provides a confidential information, education, support and referral service. The Personnel Support Service is designed to give Defence Forces personnel and their families access to information and services from within and outside the military community.
The Personnel Support Service is staffed by qualified Barrack Personnel Support Service Officers and Social Workers who have experience in dealing with a range of problems that may exist in a person’s life. Liaison with civilian agencies including, for example, housing authorities, is a feature of the Personnel Support Service.
In relation to Defence Forces personnel who experience difficulty with housing, they can access the Personnel Support Service who will facilitate them in a supporting letter to their local authority or provide more general advice on their situation.
Neither my Department nor the Defence Forces hold details of the incidence of homelessness among members of the Permanent Defence Force.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government provides a range of housing supports to assist individuals and families, including social housing and housing assistance payments. The long-term solution to the current homeless issue is to increase the supply of homes. Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness is designed to accelerate all types of housing supply – social, private and rental. In particular. Rebuilding Ireland seeks the delivery of increased volumes of social housing over the coming years (47,000 units by 2021) and places a focus on delivering long-term housing solutions for homeless households.
In 2016 the Government provided social housing solutions for 19,000 households including 5,000 homes under the build, acquisitions and vacant homes programmes with expenditure of €935m. This year €1.3billion is being provided to support social housing delivery, including longer term accommodation for homeless families.
2090. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the timeframe for implementing the agreement reached by PDFORRA and Defence Forces management for the discretionary extension of an additional two years service to the upper service limit of 50 years of age for members of the Defence Forces. [37479/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2091. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to change the upper service limit of 50 years of age for privates and corporals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37480/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2094. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the timeframe for the implementation of the agreement that was reached in 2015 to allow an extension of the upper service limit of 50 years of age for chefs serving in the Defence Forces; and when similar arrangements will be put in place for other members of the Defence Forces presently forced to retire after 21 years service. [37483/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2090, 2091 and 2094 together.
Military life places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals and it is necessary that its members be physically and mentally prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations and to undertake their duties on deployment overseas. To this end, it is vital the age and health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised in any way.
The unsatisfactory age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force was an issue of serious concern during the 1990s and was the subject of severe criticism by a series of external reports, mainly Pricewaterhouse Consultants and the Efficiency Audit Group (EAG). One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the EAG was the development of a manpower policy with an emphasis on lowering the age profile of Permanent Defence Force personnel. As a result new terms and conditions were introduced for enlisted personnel enlisting after 1994. Arising from a claim by PDFORRA, a new set of criteria was agreed with PDFORRA to provide longer careers for those who enlisted post 1994 while continuing to address the Government’s objective of having an appropriate age profile to meet the challenges of a modern Defence Forces.
The criteria require that any person re-engaging after 12 years service must be able to continue to operate both at home and overseas on an ongoing basis. Re-engagement is subject to the individual soldier meeting specified criteria in regard to physical fitness, medical category, successful completion of military courses of instruction, service overseas and conduct ratings.
The maximum service period for these personnel is as follows:
- Enlisted Personnel, up to and including the rank of Corporal (and equivalent Naval Service rank), may not serve beyond 21 years service.
- Enlisted Personnel, in the rank of Sergeant (and equivalent Naval Service rank), may be permitted to continue in service up to the age of fifty years.
- Enlisted Personnel in all higher ranks may serve to the age of fifty-six.
The first effects of the agreement, whereby Privates and Corporals may not serve beyond 21 years, arose for Permanent Defence Force members in those ranks in 2015.
A claim was received from PDFORRA for a further review in relation to this matter. That claim was adjudicated on in December 2015. The adjudicator made specific findings on the matter. Officials in my Department are currently analysing the issues arising in relation to the implementation of these findings and will recommend to me any necessary regulatory changes in respect of the terms of service for Enlisted Personnel.
