Military pensions costing €1bn

Almost €1bn has been paid to retired military personnel and their dependants through the Defence Forces pension scheme in the past five years.

Pensions in respect of retired officers, NCOs and privates amounted to over €200m last year, while more than €8m was paid in disability pensions to former members or their dependants.

Almost €6m has also been paid to the spouses of veterans of the War of Independence since 2009.

The figures have prompted calls by politicians to change current rules that force military personnel to retire early — some before the time they have reached their 40th birthday.

At present, soldiers below the rank of sergeant are forced to retire after a maximum of 21 years service. Sergeants may continue in service up to the age of 50, while officers attaining a higher rank must retire at the age of 56.

Figures released in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act reveal pension payments to former troops and their dependants cost the State €998,992,222 over the past five years.

Last year, 1,598 retired officers shared pension payments of €51.3m, while 8,008 retired NCOs and privates received a total of €135.5m. Spouses and children of 1,484 deceased personnel were paid €13.7m.

Disability pensions were paid to 103 retired officers in 2013, costing a total of €1.4m; 658 NCOs and privates who retired on grounds of disability received a total of €4.9m.

Disability pensions amounting to €1.8m were also paid to the spouses and children of 234 deceased personnel in 2013.

Some 152 surviving spouses of deceased veterans of the War of Independence received €724,060 in pension payments. The last veteran of the War of Independence died in 2006.

Ivan Connaughton, Fianna Fáil candidate for the by-election in Roscommon-South Leitrim, said the State is losing money and expertise under the current regime. “The current restrictions serve only to swell the ranks of military pensioners and drain the fittest and most experienced personnel from our Defence Forces.”