Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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18. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of persons that have retired from the armed services in 2010, 2011 and 2012. [29115/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The total number of personnel who left the Permanent Defence Force in the period 2010 to 2012 is 2,066, broken down as follows: 534 personnel left in 2010, of which 53 were officers; 729 personnel left in 2011, of which 72 were officers; and 803 personnel left in 2012, of which 70 were officers. The total number of personnel who left the Reserve Defence Force in the period 2010 to 2012 is 4,012, broken down as follows: 2,182 personnel left in 2010, of which 49 were officers; 1,161 personnel left in 2011, of which 47 were officers; and 669 personnel left in 2012, of which 59 were officers.

Personnel leave the Defence Forces on a voluntary basis for a variety of reasons including having completed the requisite years of service or having reached the maximum age limit. In addition, there are occasions when personnel are compelled to retire due to medical or disciplinary issues.