Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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22. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to bring in changes to the system whereby personnel recruited after 1994 are disadvantaged compared to pre-1994 recruits in terms of the gratuity payment, pension arrangements and opportunities for promotion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20051/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Enlisted personnel who joined the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) before April 2004, including the current cohort recruited since January 1994, have pension scheme terms that are regarded as among the most advantageous available in the Public Service generally. They are subject to the same pension scheme terms as their pre-January 1994 enlisted counterparts. However, they have different upper service limits depending on rank at discharge date. Their pension and gratuity are payable immediately on discharge after relatively short periods of service, and regardless of age. Someone enlisting at age 18 could on discharge after 21 years qualify for immediate retirement benefits at age 39. For those who joined the PDF on or after 1 April 2004 and before 1 January 2013, their pension arrangements are more in line with other Public Service pension schemes, e.g. benefits are based on total pensionable service and pensionable pay at retirement date. They have a ‘minimum pension age’ of 50. For those joining the PDF from 1 January 2013onwards, the new Public Service Single Pension Scheme applies.

The position in relation to promotional opportunities for enlisted personnel is that they are promoted to fill rank vacancies in the establishment as provided for in the Defence Force Regulation (CS4) which outlines the numerical establishments and ranks of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps. In the five years 2009 to 2013 inclusive, a total of 1,239 enlisted personnel were promoted to higher Non Commissioned rank.

A claim has been received from PDFORRA for a further review of the terms of service applying to personnel enlisting in the PDF after 1 January, 1994. In accordance with normal procedures the Association’s claim is being dealt with under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. As the negotiation process with the Representative Association is very much on-going, and discussions are confidential to the parties involved, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this issue at this time.