asked the Minister for Defence if he has examined Army pay and conditions including accommodation since he took office; if he considers the present position satisfactory; if the position expressed in reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 24 and 342 of 18 June 1980 has changed as indicated in the last paragraph of his reply to Parliamentary Question 369 of 21 October 1980 and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pay and Conditions.
32.
The pay and conditions of service of all Defence Forces personnel are kept under constant review by my Department and I am satisfied that, within the resources available, the present situation in this regard is generally satisfactory.
The accommodation provided for members of the Permanent Defence Force is generally of a satisfactory standard. New billets have been provided at a number of locations and others are under construction. Existing billets are continuing to be improved where practicable.
Pay, additional pay, and allowances, other than allowances in respect of duties of a security nature, have been increased with effect from 1 October 1980 in accordance with the terms of the first phase of the agreement on pay policy in the second national understanding.
Would the Minister give some indication of the number of hours expected to be worked by these personnel?
I do not have that information.
May I inform the Minister that some of these men are working up to 90 hours per week. Does the Minister consider that the accommodation provided is adequate to meet the needs of the personnel concerned?
There are cases where accommodation is not of the highest standard, but efforts are being made to improve it.
Is the Minister aware that married quarters for many of these people were built by the British over 70 years ago? Would he consider that these are inadequate for married quarters?
We are striving all the time to improve barracks accommodation for married and single personnel.
Would the Minister set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the pay, conditions, allowances and accommodation available to our Defence Forces?
I suggest to the Deputy that he put down a question on those lines.
A waste of time.
Recently the situation was highlighted when we heard about the amounts paid to tanker drivers and the allowances paid to the men who had to take over when there was a strike. Would the Minister accept that we expect cheap labour from the Army because they do not have any union to represent them and that the Army, Navy and Air Corps are suffering as a result of the restrictions imposed by the Government?
We do not seek cheap labour but I suggest——
Question No. 33.
The Minister must be aware of the allowances paid to these men recently. How do they compare with allowances given to people doing similar jobs in civilian life?
I suggest the Deputy put down a question on these points.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to raise the matter on the adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.