Defence Forces Personnel Policy Branch

Defence Forces Personnel Policy Branch has overall responsibility for formulating, where appropriate, and monitoring the implementation of Human Resource Policy within the Defence Forces.

The Branch also deals with policy issues/queries relating to the Reserve Defence Forces and legal costs associated with the military judicial system.

In addition, the Branch is responsible for certain administrative functions relating to Defence Forces personnel matters, including where the Minister or the President has a statutory role.

Administrative functions include:

• arrangements for the commissioning and retirement of PDF officers
• promotions and resignations of RDF officers
• calculation of educational undertaking amounts due prior to retirement or discharge of serving members.
• enquiries on regulatory framework underpinning Defence Forces medals

Ombudsman for the Defence Forces

The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established pursuant to the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act, 2004. The Ombudsman, who is independent of the Minister for Defence, the Department of Defence and the military authorities, investigates complaints by members and former members of the Defence Forces.

While the Defence Forces Ombudsman is entirely independent in his role and function. Defence Forces Personnel Policy Branch is also the central Departmental point of contact for queries from that Office on existing DF HR policies.