Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together.

Defence Force Regulations (DFR) A10 and A15 provide for the discharge and retirement of Permanent Defence Force enlisted personnel and officers respectively. The vast majority of persons discharging from the Defence Forces do so at no cost.

Discharge by purchase occurs when a Non Commissioned Officer or Private elects to leave the Defence Forces and pays an appropriate sum to discharge, in accordance with Defence Force Regulation A10. Recruits can also elect to discharge by purchase.

It should be noted that a small percentage of recruits and apprentices will be required to pay a nominal fee for ‘discharge by purchase’. I have been advised that the majority of personnel who owe a service undertaking, owe a nominal fee below €5,000.

Monetary sums in relation to discharge by purchase are assessed on a case by case basis depending on years of service, undertaking etc. The guidelines associated with determination of the amount payable on discharge are contained within DFR A10 and DFR A15.

The military authorities have advised that the table below provides details of the number of Defence Forces personnel that discharged by purchase in each of the years 2019 to end January 2024:

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Defence Force Regulation A10 sets out the conditions defining the requirement of payments with respect to enlisted ranks departing the Defence Forces.

In general, the majority of personnel in this situation would pay a nominal fee for Discharge by Purchase.

In terms of actual number of individuals who have paid this fee, over the last five years, the Military Authorities have provided the following information:

*Correct as at 31JAN24, as per DF Personnel Management System (PMS).