asked the Minister for Justice if a decision has yet been arrived at concerning the application of the Gárda Síochána for increased pay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pay of Gárda Síochána.
asked the Minister for Justice whether representations made to him by the Gárda Representative Council concerning their scale of pay have been considered, and whether it is his intention to announce a decision in regard to these representations at an early date.
I will take questions 17 and 18 together. My reply to the representations received from the Representative Bodies of the Gárda Síochána on the subject of the pay and allowances of the members of the force was conveyed to the Commissioner on the 10th instant.
Would the Minister be able to inform the House what the terms of the reply were?
The letter is rather long, but, if any Deputy wishes, he can have a copy of it.
Would the Minister tell us the cash import of the letter?
Question No. 21.
Would he cause the reply to be circulated in the Official Report in answer to the supplementary question put by Deputy Murphy?
I have no objection.
Following is a copy of the reply referred to:
Reply by Minister for Justice to representations made by Gárda Síochána Representative Bodies on the subject of pay and allowances.
(Conveyed by Departmental minute dated 10th January, 1938, to Commissioner.)
PAY.
The Minister cannot accept the suggestion that the rates of pay of the Gárda Síochána or of any other class of State servants should be determined mainly by reference to the rates payable in corresponding services in other countries. In determining appropriate rates of pay for the Gárda Síochána, regard must be had, inter alia, to the standard of remuneration of other classes of State servants, and to the financial resources of the State. In the light of the relevant considerations, the Minister is unable to agree that, in the existing circumstances, the rates and scales of pay of the various ranks of the Gárda Síochána are inadequate.
When the first Statutory Order fixing rates and scales of pay for the Gárda Síochána was being made in 1924, an explanatory memorandum was issued for the information of the force. It was pointed out in this memorandum that the scales previously in operation (commonly referred to as the Desborough scales) could be regarded as applicable only during a period while the increase in the cost of living (above pre-war) varied from 100 at the lower limit to 130 at the upper limit. The cost-of-living figure had for a considerable time previously been less than 100 (above pre-war), and was then about 80-85. The "Desborough scales" were accordingly adjusted to meet this reduction in the cost of living, the adjustment being made on the basis upon which the remuneration of civil servants is adjusted to meet variations in the cost of living. The scales of pay for chief superintendents, superintendents and inspectors were similarly adjusted.
The memorandum further stated:—
"It is not proposed that the rates of pay of the force should be subject to variation to meet trifling or temporary fluctuations in the cost of living and the rates now proposed are based on a cost-of-living figure of 85 (above pre-war), and are intended to be applicable while the cost-of-living figure varies from 70 at the lower limit to 100 at the higher limit (above pre-war). These rates will accordingly be subject to readjustment if the cost-of-living figure passes outside that range."
Existing scales were accordingly fixed on the basis of a cost-of-living figure of 85 (above pre-war), and were expressed to be applicable while the cost-of-living figure did not move outside the range 70-100 (above pre-war). At no time since these rates were fixed has the cost-of-living figure reached the maximum of that range. In fact, from 1931 to 1937 the cost-of-living figure was always below 70 (above pre-war), but notwithstanding this fact, the appropriate reductions were not made in the scales of pay of the force.
The Minister considers that the basis on which existing scales of pay were fixed for the force was reasonable and equitable, and accordingly he cannot accept any proposal that these scales should be revised in an upward direction while the cost-of-living figure does not exceed 100 (above pre-war). He also feels bound to reject very strongly the suggestion that these scales furnish any justification for any member of the force becoming financially embarrassed or not carrying out his duty with zeal and efficiency.
ALLOWANCES.
The Minister has obtained the sanction of the Minister for Finance for the restoration of a boot allowance to members of the force below officer ranks as from the end of the present financial year. This allowance will be at the rate of £2 per annum. A draft allowances order to give effect to this proposal will be prepared in due course.
The Minister is prepared to give full consideration to the representations made as to the inadequacy of the rates of rent allowances payable to married members who are not provided with official quarters, but he desires to be provided with more detailed information as to the exact position in this matter, and a separate communication will be addressed to you on this subject at an early date.
The Minister is unable to accept the view that any good case exists for an increase in the existing rates of the other allowances payable, which he regards as adequate for the purposes which they are intended to cover.