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

I thank the Deputy. Our preference is, of course, to keep people in the Defence Forces for as long as possible. As a serving member approaches retirement, either on age grounds or voluntarily, a range of supports is made available to him or her by the Defence Forces. Transition to civilian life courses are conducted by personnel support service teams throughout the year aimed at personnel who are retiring on age grounds or simply considering a change of career. This course was formerly called the pre-retirement training course but the name was changed in acknowledgement that personnel are not always retiring when they leave the military.

Transition to civilian life courses are of two to three days' duration and are conducted across the organisation. All serving members are encouraged to undertake a course at least once during their career and within three years of leaving the Defence Forces. As part of the course, personnel receive advice and guidance on all aspects of retirement. This includes education on what to expect after leaving the Defence Forces, covering change, relationships, financial matters, health and time management. Personnel also receive information about how others have dealt successfully with these life changes. The purpose of the course is to enable personnel to anticipate changes in their lives and ease the transition to civilian life.

In addition, personnel may avail of assistance from the personnel support service and occupational health services, as required. Advice and guidance are available on a confidential one-to-one basis from personnel support service teams on all issues related to leaving the Defence Forces, including pensions and finance, health, psychosocial issues and preparation for career change. My Department has also arranged the provision of a confidential counselling, referral and support service dealing with a wide range of personal and work-related issues, which can be availed of by serving members of the Defence Forces, civilian employees and Civil Defence members.

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