David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1762: To ask the Minister for Defence the situation regarding non-commissioned officers and private soldiers on retirement from the Permanent Defence Forces joining the Reserve Defence Forces; his plans if any, to make amendments to the current situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32356/10]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1765: To ask the Minister for Defence if members retiring from the Permanent Defence Force can transfer directly to the Reserve Defence Force and retain their rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1762 and 1765 together.

Defence Force Regulation R5 provides, inter alia, for the terms and conditions of enlistment for former Permanent Defence Force non-commissioned officers and private soldiers who wish to join the Reserve Defence Force. Paragraphs 6(a)(i) and (ii) of the Regulations specify the categories that are eligible for enlistment i.e. "former members of the Permanent Defence Force who have had not less than one year's full-time military service and who are not more than 40 years of age on offering themselves for enlistment;" and "former members of the Permanent Defence Force who, immediately prior to discharge, held the rank of Sergeant or Petty Officer as appropriate or higher non-commissioned rank and who are not more than 45 years of age on offering themselves for enlistment." Furthermore, paragraph 17 of the Regulations states that a former enlisted person of the PDF "may be enlisted in the non-commissioned rank last held by them ... if a vacancy exists in Establishments for a non-commissioned officer of such rank or, if such vacancy does not exist, in a lower non-commissioned rank in which there is a vacancy." Finally, paragraph 6 of the Regulations also states that applicants must "be of a medical standard as laid down from time to time by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support)." Notwithstanding the current Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotions in the Public Service, the number of former PDF enlisted personnel who have joined the RDF in recent years is minimal, i.e. nine personnel in 2008; four personnel in 2009; and one person to date this year. I wish to advise that I have no plans to make amendments to the current situation at this time.