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[Questions from Dail Debates 26 October 2006]
Defence Forces Personnel.
184. Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the retirement age for the rank of commandant, colonel, lieutenant colonel and all ranks of general within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35058/06]
185. Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the number of commandants due to retire on age grounds for each of the years 2007 to 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35059/06]
186. Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the number of colonels due to retire on age grounds for each of the years 2007 to 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35060/06]
187. Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the number of lieutenant colonels due to retire on age grounds for each of the years 2007 to 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35061/06]
188. Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the number of generals due to retire on age grounds for each of the years 2007 to 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35062/06]
Minister for Defence (Mr. O’Dea): I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 to 188, inclusive, together.
The retirement ages for the rank of Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel and all rank of General are as follows; -
Rank Retirement age
Commandant 56
Lieutenant Colonel 58
Colonel 60
Brigadier General 61
Major General 62
Lieutenant General 63
With regards to your questions in relation to the number of officers due to retire on age grounds. Please see the following Tabular Statement ‘B’ which details the number of officers in the rank of Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General and Lieutenant General respectively due to retire on age grounds in each of the years 2007 to 2011 inclusive. There are no immediate plans to extend the retirement age of officers ranks in the Defence Forces.
The 2000 White Paper on Defence and the earlier Defence Force Review Implementation Plan both recommended reduction to retirement ages in an effort to address the age profile and fitness of the Defence Forces. More recently on the other hand, the retirement age for people recruited into some areas of the public service has been increased. A trend of improvement in the age profile in the Defence Force has been achieved through a programme that included early retirement packages, regular recruitment and short-term contracts.
A key element in military life is the need for personnel to maintain a level of fitness for combat readiness. There is constant need to balance this requirement with the need to retain experience and expertise particularly at managerial level in the Defence Forces. I will continue to monitor the needs of the Defence Forces in this area and mindful of ongoing experiences in other areas of the public services will introduce change in this area if required.
Tabular Table ‘B’
The numbers of officers from the rank of Commandant upwards
due to retire on age grounds in each of the years 2007 to 2011 inclusive
Year Cmdt Lt Col Col B-Gen Maj Gen Lt-Gen
2007 12 10 9 1 0 1
2008 12 12 2 2 1 0
2009 17 9 7 2 0 0
2010 19 18 8 2 1 0
2011 32 20 5 0 0 0
Still some hope of advancement to come
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