Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Army has by far the highest number of applications within the Permanent Defence Force.

On pensions, a review is under way for all contracts of enlisted personnel from 1994 to 2006. Over the past two to three years we have been losing young, fit men and women who have the capability and capacity to give another ten years or more to the Permanent Defence Force. I announced this review at the recent PDFORRA conference. The review of contracts is something PDFORRA has sought for some time and it welcomed my decision. Those joining the Army, in particular, want to serve overseas and to do so as soon as possible after training having done two or three years back home. We are doing everything to give them the opportunity to do that.

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