John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 608: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of pensioners in the Defence Forces; the way in which their categories break down; the number which have been discharged with and without medical pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31686/05]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 612: To ask the Minister for Defence the ranks of the Defence Forces in receipt of a United Nations pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31690/05]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 613: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces pensioners injured overseas; the number injured here; the types of injuries suffered in the broadest terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31691/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 608, 612 and 613 together.

The numbers of former members of the Permanent Defence Force in receipt of pensions from my Department are as follows:

These numbers include 548 personnel in receipt of both a service pension and a disability pension. The pension entitlements of former members of the PDF arising from overseas service with the United Nations are entirely a matter for my Department and the UN does not grant any such pensions.

The type of injuries for which disability pensions are granted is wide and varied and would include the likes of back injuries, noise induced hearing loss, injuries to limbs and gunshot wounds. Records are not maintained by my Department in a format that would enable the other specific information sought by the Deputy to be readily extracted. While precise details are not available, it is estimated that overall only a small proportion, less than 10%, of service pensioners were discharged on medical grounds and that approximately 70% of the disability pensions awarded since 1 January 2000 were either wholly or partly related to service at home.