Fitzpatrick asks for end to forced retirement for defence forces personnel

INDEPENDENT TD, Peter Fitzpatrick has urged An Taoiseach to reconsider the current laws which make it compulsory for highly experienced defence forces personnel to retire on age grounds.

He cited a staff retention crisis and used the example of a 50 year old fit and healthy Private in the military who was forced to retire due to his age.

“The military is in the grip of a staffing retention crisis following a mass exodus due to pay, pensions and conditions. last November, the then Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, secured an extension of service for sergeants who had joined on post-1994 contracts and were due to retire on age grounds.

“One of my constituents is a 50-year-old private who has served for almost 29 years, including on seven overseas trips. He is a highly trained individual with level

3 qualifications, but is being forced to retire. It is ludicrous to replace him and to train another qualified person when this man is fit, capable and eager to retain his role.

“Retaining these experienced personnel is a key enabler in strengthening the capability of our Defence Forces. What is going to happen when the ever-depleting backbone of the Defence Forces becomes so rare that they cannot pass

€2.8m in once-off

on their experience to new recruits?

“Since the extension of service was obtained for sergeants, the Department of Defence has been advocating for change, but the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform has been stalling on permitting this solution.

“I ask the Taoiseach to step in to ensure this happens. Is the Taoiseach aware that for the first time in more than eight years, the number of personnel has fallen to below 8,000? This man is willing to work. He is medically fit. I ask the Taoiseach for action now.

An Taoiseach agreed with Fitzpatrick’s complaint but noted that there were complications to changing the law due tomatters linked with contracts.

“I have never been a particular fan of compulsory retirement ages. If somebody is fit and healthy and able to continue in their work, by and large we should allow them to do so, in particular at a time when we are struggling to recruit and retain staff across the board. I know there are some particular complications in this matter linked to contracts and so on, and there is engagement between the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform on it,” he explained.

Peter Fitzpatrick,

TD.