Call to extend Defence Force contracts

The Government has been asked to consider extending the contracts of members of the Defence Forces who are due to be discharged shortly after 21 years service.

Currently, members can serve up to 21 years in the ranks of private and corporal subject to meeting demanding fitness, overseas service, medical, and training criteria. Sergeant rank and higher can serve at a minimum up to 50 years of age.

Some members who joined on a contract basis are due to have their employment terminated in 2015, after 21 years service. More than 500 people will lose their jobs on this basis from 2015 to 2019.

PDFORRA, the organisation representing soldiers, sailors and aircrew of Defence Forces, said these personnel must be replaced at significant cost to the State and has urged the Government to consider extending such contracts to save money and increase efficiency.

Speaking at the group’s annual conference, deputy general secretary of PDFORRA Simon Devereux said the extension of such contracts could save up to €1.5m annually.

“The Government is continually looking to lower its costs . . . PDFORRA estimates that up €1.5m could be saved annually by agreeing to the change without any loss of efficiency”.

PDFORRA has claimed some membersare married to each other, meaning some families will experience a double redundancy if the contracts are not extended.

Responding to the group’s claims that as many as one in five members of the Defence Forces were on benefits to supplement their wages, defence minister Alan Shatter said pay levels were on a par with other European countries.