Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am advised that, to date, a small number of expressions of interest in a return to the Permanent Defence Force, PDF, have come from former officers.  As I have indicated previously to the Deputy, a scheme is in place which facilitates the re-entry of former officers to the PDF. In the absence of a standard policy for dealing with requests to re-enter, each case was previously dealt with on an individual basis and governed by the rules, regulations and circumstances that applied at the time. In the absence of a defined policy framework, the processing of such applications posed a number of difficulties such as defining procedures, identifying the requirements and needs of the organisation and agreeing terms and conditions with the individual.  To provide a more transparent scheme to facilitate the re-entry of former PDF officers, a policy framework setting out terms and conditions was necessary.

I am pleased that the terms and conditions for the recommissioning scheme include the provision that the recommissioning of former officers of the PDF shall only be considered in specific circumstances.  These are where the Chief of Staff has identified a deficiency in personnel, military capability or expertise in the PDF that cannot be resolved in a sustainable or timely manner from within existing personnel resources. Recommissioned officers will be offered a short service commission for a period of three years. In that period they cannot compete for promotion, nor will they block a promotion opportunity for existing officers.  Recommissioned officers may only be offered a substantive appointment after three years on the advice of the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence. While a scheme is in place for former officers of the PDF, the attendant scheme for enlisted personnel is still being progressed. The statutory basis for enlisting and re-enlisting personnel varies considerably from the basis on which officers are commissioned. For the purpose of re-enlisting former personnel, it is likely that there will be a need to change primary legislation.

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