Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

161. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel who purchased their way out of service in the years 2019 to date; the average discharge by purchase fee, by month, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14973/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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’. While the average discharge by purchase fee is not readily available, 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 February 2024.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

162. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current number of personnel in each arm of the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14974/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 29 February 2024 the latest date for which such figures are available, was 7,451 personnel comprised of 6,018 Army personnel, 702 Air Corps personnel, and 731 Naval Service personnel.

The military authorities have advised they are in the process of confirming the number of personnel in each arm of the Reserve Defence Force and this information will be forwarded to the Deputy when it becomes available.

Ongoing staffing challenges in the Defence Forces have been acknowledged. In that regard, my immediate focus is now on stabilising the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces and thereafter increasing strength to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.