asked the Minister for Defence whether any reduction has recently been made in the subsistence allowance payable to battalion administration officers (N.C.O.s) attached to the F.C.A.; and, if so, the reasons therefor.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - F.C.A. Officers' Allowances.
Major de Valera
The rates of special allowance payable to N.C.O.s filling vacancies for battalion administrative officers with units of the F.C.A. in country districts have heretofore been 3/1 a day for personnel provided with military accommodation and 4/1 a day for others.
It was recently decided to alter these allowances to 3/3 a day for administrative officers for whom accommodation is provided or who are living with their families and 6/- a day for others.
What justification is there for the reduction? I believe it amounts to 10d. a day or £15 a year in the case of these men. I was approached by men of the F.C.A. and they resented very much the reduction of 10d. a day. It is a very big reduction on these N.C.O.s. What justification is there for it?
Perhaps the Deputy will tell me what he is talking about?
I am asking the Minister what justification there is for taking 10d. a day off the allowance paid to these men who have been detailed to work with the F.C.A. If he did not hear me before, I think I am plain enough now.
Possibly the explanation is that the Deputy did not hear my reply. The rates heretofore were 3/1 a day for personnel provided with military accommodation and 4/1 for others. It was recently decided to alter these allowances to 3/3 a day for officers for whom accommodation is provided or who are living with their families and 6/- for others.
That is not my information.