David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The figure is 12,000. It should be noted that some of them are experiencing hard times. The committee will be meeting the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women next year. I commend the work it does in supporting retired members of the Defence Forces who have may have fallen on hard times. Sometimes one can get institutionalised when one is in an organisation for some time and then have difficulties adapting when one retires.

There was an expectation among many Defence Force members when they joined up initially, that after 21 years’ service, there would be an opportunity for promotion to sergeant and beyond. I understand that this is not happening and this is why it has become an issue. This might have to be taken into account.