Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He referred to enlisted personnel in the rank of sergeant and therein lies the difficulty. As a result of the influx of other people and the imposition of the moratorium, those who need to reach that level have not been able to do so. Many members of the Defence Forces are skilled in particular areas and they simply will not be in a position to transition into areas of civilian employment. They will be forced to avail of jobseeker's benefit for a period of nine months, at the single rate of €188 per week. The overall amount in this regard will be €1.1 million. The cost to the Exchequer of replacing 100 to 120 post-1994 corporals and privates will run to €1.3 million in pension costs per annum and will give rise to a once-off €2.1 million in gratuities. It has been calculated that the state would benefit by €20,000 per individual if they remained in service as opposed to being discharged. Apart from the economic impact this will have on these Members and their families, we must ask ourselves what will be the social impact.

This matter is causing huge distress. I accept the medical and other criteria being put forward. However, I do not believe it was ever envisaged that men in their mid-30s or very early 40s would be trying to return to the civilian workforce. We are all aware of the difficulties relating to that workforce at present. It is worth pointing out that most of the people to whom I refer have served in Libya, Lebanon and elsewhere. A number of them are currently in Syria and when they return home, they will discover that they are going to be discharged next year. There is an element of injustice in the fact that people who have placed their lives at risk for the rest of us might be treated in this way. I understand that negotiations on this matter are ongoing but I want to flag for the Minister of Defence the importance of this issue to me and to the people of Kilkenny.

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