The Branch is responsible for the administration and correspondence relating to a range of Defence Forces personnel matters including:

Commissioning officers to the Defence Forces

Retirements of officers of the Defence Forces

Promotions of Reserve (Army Reserve and Naval Reserve) officers

Supporting the provision of a fair and effective military Redress and grievance system

Processing applications to the Minister under the Redress of Wrongs provision of the Defence Acts.

Authorising Free Legal Aid payments in connection with Courts Martial

Operation of the Service Commitment Scheme for Air Corps pilots

Oversight role in relation to Defence Forces training and related course undertakings

Enquiries on 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. The Defence Forces Personnel Policy Branch is the central Departmental point of contact for queries from the Office of the Defence Forces Ombudsman.

Defence Forces Personnel Policy Branch
Department of Defence
Parkgate
Infirmary Road
Dublin 7

Contact: Vincent Lowe
Telephone: 353 1 8042162
Fax: 353 1 6703842
Lo Call: 1 890 251890