asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the pay and pension increases awarded to the Army will be sufficient to remove the serious discontent and dissatisfaction known to exist among the armed forces.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pay and Conditions.
83.
I am not prepared to subscribe to the Deputy's allegation of serious discontent and dissatisfaction among the armed forces. The pay and pension increases awarded contribute substantially to improvement of service conditions, and as already announced, the adjustments in pay are exclusive of the increase which will be applicable in the light of a 12th round pay increase for the public service.
Does the Minister consider a pay rise of about £4 per year for a junior officer could be regarded by anybody as satisfactory having regard to the fact that the cement workers refused an offer of £4 10s per week?
The junior officer gets automatic promotion. Furthermore, his incremental period has been cut from two years to one year. He has a very satisfactory attainable scale.
Every newspaper in the country carried a criticism of the Army pay. Will there not be further resignations arising out of this? There are people in the Army who were hoping they would get a decent and substantial increase.
The Deputy must be speaking to the wrong people.
I am probably speaking to a lot more people in the Army than the Minister is. He is speaking for the civil servants.
84.
asked the Minister for Defence (a) whether the report of the review body on the Army was a unanimous report; (b) whether it made recommendations other than in relation to pay and pension increases; and, if so, what recommendations.
As regards (a), the terms of reference of this review body provided that the recommendations were to be formulated by the civilian members. The report was a unanimous report. With regard to (b) I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Question No. 34 on the 24th June, 1970.
Arising out of the continued and widespread discontent known to exist in the Army, will the Minister now set up a commission similar to the Conroy Commission to investigate not only pay and pension matters but all the other sources of discontent as well, and have it made public?
There are still a number of outstanding matters to be disposed of. It is not proposed to set up a body on the lines suggested by the Deputy.
Such a commission was provided for the Garda Síochána who, furthermore, have a representative body to look into their grievances at all times.
That is a separate matter.
I presume the Minister said he would not publish the recommendation of the review body? He referred to a reply the Minister had given earlier about the review body.
I referred to the reply to Question No. 34 on 24th June. It stated:
It is not the practice to publish the report of a review body of this nature. Adequate publicity will be given to the decisions taken on the findings of the review.
Complete details of the final decision were published.
Would it not be more desirable if the recommendations of the review body were also published?
The Government were ashamed and afraid to publish them.
Question No. 85.
85.
asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the concern and disappointment within Army ranks about the new pay and conditions of employment announced last week he will set up an Army Representative Negotiating Body to ensure an effective review of existing scales and realistic two-way negotiations on future pay levels and conditions of work.
I am not prepared to subscribe to the Deputy's view that there is concern and disappointment within Army ranks about the pay adjustments recently announced.
Pursuant to an order made by the Minister for Defence under the Defence Act, 1954, the Chief of Staff is assigned responsibility for military proposals in regard to conditions of service, pay and allowances, and retired pay and pensions for members of the Defence Forces. I think that the members of the Defence Forces in general realise the difficulties of having representation machinery of the kind the Deputy seems to have in mind.
The welfare of the Defence Forces is the special care of the Government.
86.
asked the Minister for Defence if an Army private receives a one shilling increase for each year over ten years service.
I assume the Deputy's question relates to the Defence Forces Pensions Code. As announced recently, an amendment to the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes has been agreed, subject to legislation, which will provide an increase in the pension increment payable to soldiers in respect of qualifying service between 21 and 31 years. This increment, which at present stands at 1s a week, will be raised to 4s 10d a week and will be subject to review in the light of the current pay increase. The increase in the pension increment will cease to be payable when the soldier qualifies for an old age pension or other retirement income under the Social Welfare Acts.
87.
asked the Minister for Defence whether a single officer at the end of his service receives a gratuity.
Under the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes only married officers are eligible for gratuities in addition to retired pay. Single officers are not so eligible. Officers, whether married or single, who retire or are retired before completing the requisite service for retired pay are eligible under the schemes for gratuities which vary with length of service.
88.
asked the Minister for Defence whether an Army private or NCO receives a gratuity or retirement pay after 21 years' service.
Under the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes a noncommissioned officer or private discharged after 21 years' service is eligible for a pension and, if married, for an additional married pension. As announced recently, an amendment to the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes has been agreed, subject to legislation, which will provide gratuities for married long-service soldiers discharged on pension on or after the 1st June, 1969. The gratuity payable will be one week's ordinary pay for each year of qualifying service, subject to a maximum of 31 weeks' pay.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, would he not agree that there would appear to be a favourable attitude in his Department towards the officers in the Army, particularly married officers? Would he not give equal consideration to the privates and the NCOs in the Army who are getting a raw deal? Does he not think that it is because of the figures he has quoted here our Army is at such a low ebb?
The Deputy is now giving information and not asking a question.
I asked three supplementaries to three questions.
The Deputy did not ask a supplementary to the questions when they were answered.
Could I have an answer?
Naturally, married personnel get special consideration. I am sure Deputies will agree they should get first priority.
Whether we should or should not agree, this is the only instance in which married men get a gratuity and single men do not. The recent discussions between Government Departments and trade unions about unestablished State employees have had the effect of having a pension and gratuity scheme set up for these people with effect from 1st January of this year. That is a little later than is the case in the Army. Does the Minister agree it is a better scheme than the one he mentioned? Would he say why it has not been possible to include Army personnel in that scheme which would have made it unnecessary to bring legislation before this House?
Hear, hear.
Is the Minister not aware of the scheme?
I have not got that information.
Would the Minister like me to give him a copy of the scheme?
I will get the background.
When the Minister has the background will he bring it to the foreground?
89.
asked the Minister for Defence whether Army officers can collect children's allowances for children over 16 years of age if certificates are produced that such children are at full day schools; and if this privilege is available to NCOs and privates.
The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes", provided the child is dependent on the officer and is not over 21 years of age. This also applies in the case of a child who is an invalid and incapable of self-support.
As regards NCOs and privates, existing arrangements provide for the payment of children's allowance for boys up to age of 16 years and for girls up to 18 years of age. These arrangements are being extended to cover, as in the case of officers, dependent children up to 21 years of age who are at school or who are invalids and incapable of self-support.