Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 510: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of serving soldiers who opted out in writing from the contributory pension scheme in each year since the scheme was introduced in 1997; the number of those opting out who had dependants at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27538/11]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of serving soldiers who opted out of the spouses' and children's contributory pension scheme when it was introduced in 1985; the number of those opting out who had dependants at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27539/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together.

There are currently 469 serving enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Force who are not members of the Spouses' and Children's Contributory Pension Schemes. It is not possible to readily indicate whether these personnel opted out of the original scheme in 1977/1978 or did not join the revised scheme in 1985. It would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort to provide the information sought and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources. Comprehensive information on the number of personnel who had dependants at the time of their decision is not available.