asked the Minister for Defence if he will state in respect of Army personnel serving (a) in the Congo and (b) in the Middle-East (i) mission allowances paid by UNO, (ii) subsistence rates paid by UNO, and (iii) overseas allowances paid; whether tropical uniform was supplied free; and why such personnel do not enjoy similar treatment and rates irrespective of their location.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allowances to Army Personnel Serving Abroad.
116.
Mr. Ryan
(i) Irish Army personnel serving either in the Congo or in the Middle-East are not, as far as I am aware, paid any mission allowance by the United Nations.
(ii) Payment of subsistence allowance does not normally arise, in the case of personnel serving in the Congo as the United Nations provides their rations and accommodation. The eight Irish officers at present serving as Observers with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation in Palestine are, however, paid a subsistence allowance of 10 dollars a day (£3 10s. approx.) to compensate them for the increase in their living expenses.
(iii) Personnel serving in the Congo are paid an overseas service allowance to the value of about 9/- per day, by the United Nations. In addition overseas allowances are paid by my Department at the following daily rates:—
|
Rank |
Single |
Married |
|
Private |
15/- |
25/- |
|
Corporal |
17/6 |
27/6 |
|
Sergeant to Battalion Sergeant Major |
20/- |
30/- |
|
Second Lieutenant to Captain |
26/3 |
41/3 |
|
Commandant and upwards |
36/3 |
51/3 |
The overseas allowances paid by my Department are recovered subsequently from the United Nations.
Overseas allowances are not, however, paid to the Irish Observers in the Middle East.
In the case of personnel serving in the Congo, the United Nations supplies a tropical uniform for everyday use and my Department supplies a better type uniform for more formal occasions. The cost of the latter is recovered from the United Nations, by special agreement with that body. Tropical uniform is not, however, supplied free of charge to the Observers serving in the Middle East.
The conditions of service laid down by the United Nations for the service of Observers in the Middle East are entirely distinct from those laid down for service in the Congo and do not provide for the payment of overseas allowances or the provision of uniform free of charge.