Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. This subhead provides for the payment of all superannuation-type benefits by way of pension and gratuity to former members of the Permanent Defence Force and dependants. The subhead also provides for payments in respect of transference services. Expenditure under this subhead is demand-driven and non-discretionary. The amount provided in the original Estimate under subhead 2 for 2014 was insufficient for what transpired. Between 2007 and 2013, the number of retired Permanent Defence Force members and dependants paid from this subhead rose from 9,962 to 11,406. The current figure is 11,472. In 2014, in the period to the end of October, a total of 389 personnel have left the Permanent Defence Force, and this includes people who retired without entitlement to pension benefits. More people left the Defence Forces than we were expecting and a large percentage were entitled to the pension levels.