Call for support to aid troops ahead of dismissal

Support measures must be put in place to help hundreds of soldiers, sailors and airmen who are set to be dismissed from the Defence Forces.

That’s according to the Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) which said it is imperative that these people be provided with pre-exit training, advice and job-sourcing if the military authorities push ahead with axing those whose 21-year service contracts are about to run out.

PDFORRA also believes that the Government shouldn’t dismiss highly trained troops, especially if they are fit enough to continue in the services.

The association’s deputy general secretary Ger Guinan said the prospect of some of its members being forced to quit, without any level of support, is of immense concern.

“In PDFORRA’s view the civil and military management of the Defence Forces are obliged to provide a variety of exit support measures to those who are being forced out of the organisation,” he said.

The first group of compulsory exits will occur next year, and Mr Guinan said “it’s imperative that effective and comprehensive support measures are in place if management remain determined to push ahead with the flawed compulsory exit policy after 21 years’ service”.

The majority of those who are being forced out would typically have been 19 or 20 when they signed up. PDFORRA believes their services should still be retained because many of them would be fit enough even though they’re now in their 40s.

The association also pointed out that it has cost the State a significant amount of money to train them.

The 21-year contracts only apply to privates and corporals. Sergeants and higher ranks are entitled to serve until they are 50.

“Many of those who will lose their jobs belong to a generation which is already struggling to deal with mortgage debt and negative equity,” Mr Guinan said.

He said PDFORRA is seeking support for those affected in the form of an outplacement agency to provide pre-exit training, advice and job-sourcing.

“This type of support was provided for those who voluntarily exited the Defence Forces in the 1990s, and was actually complemented with severance payments.”