677 recruits paid fee to discharge from Forces
NEARLY 700 recruits have paid a fee to be “discharged” from the Defence Forces over the last five years.
There were 1,991 recruits between 2019 and 2023, with 143 set to commence training this week.
Data was given to Green Party TD Patrick Costello by Tanaiste and Defence Minister Micheal Martin.
In response to Mr Costello’s parliamentary question, the Tanaiste explained that Defence Force Regulations provide for “discharge and retirement of Permanent Defence Force enlisted personnel and officers”.
He added that the “vast majority of persons discharging from the Defence Forces do so at no cost”.
Mr Martin said: “Discharge by purchase occurs when a Non-commissioned Officer or Private elects to leave the Defence Forces and pays an appropriate sum to discharge.”
PROVIDED
Between 2019 and 2023, some 1,521 members of the Defence Forces were discharged by purchase.
Some 45% of these (677) were recruits.
In the same period, there were 1,991 general service recruits inducted into the Defence Forces.
The figures provided to Deputy Costello show that 13 Defence Forces members were discharged by purchase in January 2024. This included five Corporals, three recruits and five with a rank of “Private 3”.
In his response to Mr Costello, Mr Martin said: “I have been advised that the majority of personnel who owe a service undertaking, owe a nominal fee below €5,000.”
Deputy Costello told the Irish Mirror: “These numbers seem to indicate we have a problem retaining recruits. While losing some recruits is understandable, we seem to be losing them at a higher rate than we did previously.”