Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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5. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the problems in the present transfer system between the Naval Service and the Army and the impact that this is having on morale and on the retention of Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15694/17]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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This question relates to a young lad from Kilkenny who happens to play for Wexford Youths. I was contacted by a member of his family. Deputy Aylward and I have mentioned this to the Minister of State a few times outside the Chamber. I realise there is a shortage of personnel in the navy and that it is as eager as hell to hold on to them, but if it really wants to keep them, it will have to improve pay and conditions. I believe some work is being done in that area. Until that happens, morale and numbers will suffer.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The transfer of a member of the Permanent Defence Forces from one service or unit to another is entirely a matter for the military authorities in the light of operational requirements. In general terms, applications for transfers are considered by the military authorities having regard to factors such as the manpower level of the unit in which the applicant is serving, the number of transfer applications already on hand, the seniority of the applicant within the unit and the existence of a suitable vacancy in the unit to which the applicant wishes to transfer. Every effort is made to facilitate transfer applications where circumstances permit.

Personnel from the Naval Service are no different from those in any other service or formation within the Defence Forces in that they may apply for transfers within the organisation. The Defence Forces process for internal transfers , including those from the Naval Service to the Army, involves each application being assessed individually based on its merits and on the exigencies of the service. The process includes the opportunity for the applicant to make representation to the relevant general officer commanding or flag officer commanding in the Naval Service. The application process is formalised in Defence Forces regulations. I have been advised by the military authorities that no issues have been encountered with this process.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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This lad has applied three times and is getting frustrated. He is not in a great place. He was reared by his grandparents. His grandfather who served for 23 years as a company quartermaster sergeant died two years ago and, sadly, the service pension died with him. The lad has been looking after his grandmother since then. It is not financially viable for him to go from Kilkenny to Cork because his grandmother needs his help.

His AF236 form, which is completed and includes his circumstances, is in the personnel management system. I have been told that up to last Monday it had been in a tray for seven weeks. I do not understand this. I know the form goes from Cobh to Kilkenny and back to Cork, and if there is a dispute it goes to Newbridge, but I understood there were time limits on how long any process could take.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am not aware of a specific time limit for how long an application form spends in the naval base in Haulbowline or in Kilkenny but I would encourage the lad to go to the personnel section if his personal circumstances are on his application for transfer.

I cannot enquire into specific cases but I made a general enquiry. There has to be a suitable vacancy in Kilkenny and there cannot be a shortage of personnel in the place the person wants to leave.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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If there is no time limit there should be one. It is ridiculous not to have a measure on these matters. The individual in question wants to go to Kilkenny and the battalion commander in Kilkenny says there is a place there for him. This guy is a qualified communications operator. Money has been invested in him by the State and he is an asset to the Defence Forces. He will have no choice but to quit because when he goes to Cork, he has to couch surf because he cannot afford to pay for accommodation. The Defence Forces will lose a good guy. He is a very good lad. The Minister of State mentioned rank and seniority but he knows of a lad junior to him who got a transfer to Collins Barracks. Will the Minister of State examine this more closely because fairness needs to be applied?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I know the Deputy from Kilkenny wants to say a word. I do not mind if he wants to speak.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is against the rules but in the circumstances he may.

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I thank Deputy Wallace for raising this matter. I have been talking to the Minister of State about this case for four months. The young man is trying to get back to his grandmother in Callan on compassionate grounds. He is a communications operator. There is a vacancy in Kilkenny for him and the problem lies in transferring him from the navy to the Army but it has been done. An individual, and I do not want to name anyone, who was in the same position and applied a year after him, has been transferred. Why is he being discriminated against when another person has been transferred already? Will the Minister of State consider this case personally?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I cannot nor will I get involved in any direct transfer but I will go back to the flag officer commanding and ask him to consider this case if the Deputies think there are compassionate grounds for the request.