Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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429. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the consideration that has been given to offer shorter term contracts those in the Defence Forces who are in a position to continue to serve as they approach retirement given the retention and recruitment crisis in the forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24373/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Arising from the recommendations in the report of Public Service Pay Commission on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force, a joint civil/military review of barriers to extended participation in the Permanent Defence Force was conducted.

The review considered a number of matters including mandatory retirement ages and contracts of service. The recommendations arising from the review require consideration from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to costs and pensions.

In December 2021, I secured agreement with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, which allows for an extension in service limits for Privates and Corporals, who were recruited to the Permanent Defence Force since 1 January 1994, to remain in service up to 50 years of age, subject to them meeting certain criteria including medical and fitness standards.

Currently, Sergeants recruited to the Permanent Defence Force post 1994 may remain in service up to age 50. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has agreed that there shall be arrangements to facilitate the extension of service limits of Sergeants recruited to the Permanent Defence Force post 1994. Discussions are ongoing between officials in the Department of Defence and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the nature of the arrangement.

Other recommendations in the review relating to Commissioned Officers and senior Non-Commissioned Officer ranks, are being considered in the forum of an Inter-Departmental Working Group, which the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has established, to consider mandatory retirement ages and service limits for public service groups who have fast accrual pension arrangements.