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

I did not get a chance to hear that meeting this morning but I will certainly look at the transcripts. I assure the Deputy that from my perspective the challenges we face with recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces are certainly not irreversible. We must apply ourselves to resolve this issue. The overall number in the Defence Forces is 1,000 people short of where we should be. We are setting about resolving that problem. I hope we will have the assistance of the representative bodies in doing that because collectively we all care about the future of the Defence Forces and without the full complement we are limited in the choices we can make.

I advised the Deputy previously in reply to his parliamentary question of 13 May 2021, of the various reviews of the 1994 Defence Forces service contracts, which have taken place since then and the discussions and subsequent agreements with PDFORRA, the representative association for enlisted personnel.

Due to time constraints, I could not read out in full the comprehensive reply to the question raised by the Deputy. I am pleased to have the opportunity to advise Deputy Brady of the current position in relation to the review of service contracts for personnel enlisted to the Defence Forces after 1 January 1994.

A review examining barriers to extended participation in the Permanent Defence Force, as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission and provided for in the high-level implementation plan, Strengthening Our Defence Forces, is currently under way. The review is being conducted by a joint civil-military project team. The review encompasses consideration of the service limits and mandatory retirement ages for privates, corporals and sergeants, as well as senior non-commissioned officers, NCOs. The review will take into consideration the recommendations from an adjudication in 2015, arising from a claim made by PDFORRA through the conciliation and arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force.

It was agreed at that time that privates and corporals in receipt of technical pay group 3 or higher may stay in service to the age of 50, subject to meeting certain specified criteria. In addition, the adjudicator recommended a further review of contracts of service for line corporals and privates and corporals in receipt of technical pay group 1 and 2 recruited to the Defence Forces after 1 January 1994. The adjudicator recommended that such personnel be allowed to continue to serve beyond 21 years for a period up to the expiry of the next two promotion panels, subject to them meeting the required criteria and not exceeding the age of 50 years during this period.

I will read the rest of the answer when I come in again because the Deputy would be interested in it.

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