asked the Minister for Defence the total amount of money advanced to officers in the Defence Forces for the purchase of motor cars in each of the past three years; the purpose of this scheme; the conditions under which it operates; if it is available to all ranks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Money Advances for Officers.
10.
(Limerick West): Details of the advances to officers for the purchase of motor cars over the past three years are as follows:
|
Year |
Amount Advanced |
|
£ |
|
|
1985 |
14,350 |
|
1986 |
9,600 |
|
1987 |
8,400 |
Repayable advances are issued to certain officers of the Permanent Defence Forces to facilitate them in purchasing cars for use on official duties.
Advances are made to officers up to the rank of captain who are detailed for duty with An Forsa Cosanta Áitiúil or An Slua Muirí whose duties could not be satisfactorily performed without the use of a motor car.
Is the Minister saying, by implication, that the scheme is not available to all ranks, including privates and NCOs? If that if the case, will the Minister explain why it is so? Can it never arise that a motor car will be essential to a private or non-commissioned officer in carrying out his or her duties?
(Limerick West): The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is “no”. At one stage the scheme was available to ranks higher than that of captain but in recent years it has been made available to officers up to the rank of captain. I suspect that the reason it is not available to other ranks is that the travel involvement by those ranks would not be similar to that of officers engaged in FCA duties. Such officers have to travel all over the country.
Will the Minister state the number of officers who have received these advances in the past three years and if the officers repay the money at a particular rate of interest?
(Limerick West): In 1985 there were 12 advances; in 1986, eight; 1987, eight and 1988 to date, five. I should like to tell the Deputy that the maximum advance authorised is £1,500 for the purchase of a new car and £1,000 for the purchase of a secondhand car. The advance is recovered by monthly deductions from the officer's pay over approximately 18 months in the case of an advance of £1,500 and over 12 months, approximately, in the case of an advance of £1,000. Monthly deductions are usually one-twelfth of the amount.
Are the advances interest free?
(Limerick West): I do not know but I will get the information for the Deputy.