Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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1735. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent of supports offered to members of the Defence Forces on leaving or retiring from the Forces; the length of time any support is extended to the persons involved; the amount of money allocated annually to such supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1848/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government reaffirms my Department’s commitment to providing support to ex-service personnel for the public service and contribution they have made to the State.

Training is an important element of a person’s military career. While its primary focus is to develop and maintain military capabilities, personnel have the opportunity to enhance their learning, acquire skills and to acquire externally recognised accreditations that may assist them in gaining employment and/or adjusting to civilian life upon retirement from the Defence Forces.

The Occupational Health Strategy for the Defence Forces comprises of Employee Assistance and Occupational Health Services.  As part of the Employee Assistance Service, a confidential counselling, referral and support service for serving members of the Defence Forces is provided. The service provides up to 6 counselling sessions, as required, on a wide range of personal and work related issues, including but not limited to health, relationships, addictions, financial, bereavement, stress, conflict, critical incident and trauma. Retiring Defence Forces personnel can complete up to the maximum of 6 sessions with the confidential counselling service where necessary and where contact has been made before they retire.

Defence Forces personnel who are due to retire have the option of attending a pre-retirement course and a “Transition to civilian life” course. As part of the pre-retirement course personnel receive advice and guidance on all aspects of retirement including changes and relationships, financial matters, health and time management. They also receive information about how others have dealt successfully with these life changes. The purpose of these courses is to enable them to anticipate the changes in their own lives and to ease the transition to civilian life.

The Department of Defence provides annual subventions to support and encourage the two officially recognised veteran groups, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.) and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). ONE is an organisation dedicated to looking after the welfare of ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces by way of providing accommodation to homeless, elderly or disabled members in need of such domestic accommodation and shelter and other assistance that may be required. Membership of IUNVA is open to any person, serving or retired, who has successfully completed a tour of duty with a UN Force or Organisation.