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

I will give the Deputy the information I have, according to my notes on the actual numbers. I have heard the figure of 700 as well but I am advised by military management that as of 1 May 2021 the number of personnel enlisted post 1994, in terms of privates and corporals, in receipt of tech pay group 2 or less and who will have served 21 years or more by the end of 2022 is 195. There may be others in that category from other ranks and so on. I have said to PDFORRA and also said in the Seanad that I would like to provide clarity on this issue before the end of the year. Of course, we have to work with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as well. This is not solely my Department's decision. Given that this would impact on people by potentially ending their careers in the Defence Forces in December 2022, there is an obligation on me to try to provide clarity well in advance of that date. That is why we would like to have that clarity provided by the end of this year if we can, and maybe even earlier than that. That is a commitment I have given and I will try to follow through on it.

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