Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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597. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he plans to raise the mandatory age of retirement for non-commissioned members of the Defence Forces from 50 years of age to 60, in view of the declining numbers in the Defence Forces and the specialised training given to technical back-up staff there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13418/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Military life places unique demands on individuals and it is necessary that Defence Forces personnel are prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations. For this reason compulsory retirement ages for ranks in the Permanent Defence Force are considerably lower than in other employments.

The Public Service Pay Commission in their report on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force in 2019, included in their recommendations, the need to consider options to tackle barriers to extended participation in the Permanent Defence Force.

A joint civil/military review was subsequently completed in 2021. Two detailed reports examining barriers to extended participation in the Permanent Defence Force were compiled, one in relation to Commissioned Officers and the other in respect of Enlisted Personnel.

As pension arrangements for members of the Permanent Defence Force are based on date of entry to service, any proposals to amend the length of service requires the consideration of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPER), in respect of costs and accrued pension liabilities.

In December 2021, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform agreed to allow 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.

An interim arrangement was agreed in October 2022, to allow for the continuance in service of Sergeants. Those Sergeants who were recruited since 1 January 1994 and would have been due to retire on the basis of mandatory retirement age in 2022 and 2023, will not be required to do so until end-2024. The fast accrual pension terms will continue for those additional years.

The Department of Defence are members of the Inter-Departmental Working Group, established, to consider mandatory retirement ages and service limits for public service groups who have 'fast accrual' occupational pension arrangements. The recommendations from the joint civil/military review of mandatory retirement ages of all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force are being considered in this group.

Compulsory retirement ages and service limits in the Defence Forces are kept under review with key considerations of manpower policy and operational needs. I have discussed this matter with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Options for interim measures pending the outcome of the work of interdepartmental group are being considered.