asked the Minister for Defence whether it is correct that non-commissioned officers in the Defence Forces have not been granted any increase in pay (other than 6d. per day deferred pay) either by way of actual addition to rates of pay or bonus since 1924; and, if so, if he will consider granting them an immediate increase in rate of pay or a bonus, commensurate with their duties and proportionate to the increase already given to privates.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Pay of Non-Commissioned Officers.
asked the Minister for Defence if he has under consideration the question of an increase in pay to N.C.O.s; and, if not, if he is prepared to consider it.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together.
The answer to the first portion of Deputy Larkin's question is in the affirmative. The present rates of pay for non-commissioned officers are, however, commensurate with their duties as compared with private soldiers. The considerations which governed the grant of the increase to private soldiers are not applicable to non-commissioned officers.
For these reasons and because of the fact that they are being credited with deferred pay, it is not proposed to grant any increase to non-commissioned officers either by way of pay or bonus.
I did not catch quite clearly the first portion of the answer, but I take it that the statement in the question was correct. Surely, when we are granting bonuses to all sections of the community because of the increased cost of living there is a case to be made for the N.C.O.'s who are affected to the same degree?