Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
156. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his intentions to alter recruitment and retirement ages regarding the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14962/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast month, I announced that the mandatory retirement and maximum recruitment ages for Reserve Defence Force (RDF) personnel were being brought in line with recently announced changes for Permanent Defence Force (PDF) personnel. The measures came into effect on 29 March 2024.
In the case of both the RDF and the PDF, the mandatory retirement age has been raised 60. This applies to all ranks that previously had a mandatory retirement age below 60.
The maximum recruitment age for the RDF and the PDF has also been increased to 39.
The regeneration of the RDF is a key focus for this Government and these changes are an important step in that process.
It is essential that the Defence Forces recruit, retain, and develop for the future, skilled personnel and key specialists. A vital element of this will be the development of a Reserve Defence Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy on a voluntary basis, with the Permanent Defence Force, both here and overseas.
