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Defence Forces Personnel Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2019

Tuesday, 11 June 2019

Ceisteanna (117)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

117. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel who left employment early in each year since 2010; the number who made a payment to the Defence Forces and-or his Department as a result of ending their contract early; the amount paid in each year by such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23843/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The following table provides details of the total number of personnel discharged from the army from 2010 to 2018.

Year

Total Discharged

*Discharge by Purchase

**Voluntary early retirement

***Other discharges including retirements on age grounds

2018

525

208

219

98

2017

586

256

227

103

2016

529

205

223

101

2015

438

118

238

82

2014

379

121

180

78

2013

362

102

185

75

2012

657

116

487

54

2011

516

72

352

92

2010

427

28

315

84

There are a range of reasons why personnel retire from the Defence Forces.

*Discharge by purchase occurs when a non commissioned officer or private elects to leave the Defence Forces and pays an appropriate sum to discharge, in accordance with Defence Force Regulation A10 Paragraph 61 (3). Recruits can also elect to discharge by purchase and a significant proportion of recruits, approx. 22% on average, depart from the Defence Forces during the training phase for various reasons.

**Voluntary early retirements occur when personnel wish to end their service at break points before reaching the mandatory retirement age limit for his/her respective rank. These retirements occur at the persons own request, at his/her request after 12 years, expiry of PDF service, on pension after 21 years or on termination of engagement.

***Other discharges include retirement on age grounds, death, below medical standards, service no longer required, or unlikely to become effective.

The amount paid by those who purchased their discharge in the period mentioned in the question could not be ascertained in the timeframe set out for reply and I will revert once the figures are provided to me.

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