Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2024
17. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reasons for increasing the mandatory retirement age for Permanent Defence Force personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13029/24]
View answerThe recruitment and retention challenges experienced by the Defence Forces are well documented. The numbers leaving the Defence Forces exceed the numbers recruited year on year, resulting in a continued decline in the overall strength level. While significant measures have been undertaken to improve the overall package in the Defence Forces, the decline in numbers has continued.
The decision to increase the mandatory retirement age to 60, for personnel with a current mandatory retirement age of under 60, is part of an overall effort to remove any potential obstacles to recruiting and retaining personnel. The retention of personnel will be subject to certain criteria, including appropriate medical and fitness tests.
This strategic move will have a two-fold effect. For the organisation, it will help to address, in part, the issue of retention by allowing experienced and skilled personnel to remain in their positions for longer, thereby retaining valuable organisational knowledge, providing continuity and contributing to enhanced training experiences for new recruits. For Defence Forces personnel, the move supports career longevity and provides personnel with the opportunity to continue to contribute meaningfully to the organisation.
In addition, the increase in the mandatory retirement age has facilitated an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 for those roles with a current recruitment age below 39 years.
The Government has also approved a further increase in the mandatory retirement age for the Permanent Defence Force to 62, which will be facilitated by amendments to the relevant pension legislation to be brought forward by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
