asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the policy of the Defence Force in relation to members of the Defence Force taking part time jobs with other employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Off-Duty Employment of Defence Force Members.
4.
(Limerick West): Officers and men of the Permanent Defence Force, as well as reservists on permanent service, are forbidden to organise or engage in private security work with commercial firms or State-sponsored bodies.
The question of members of the Defence Force engaging in other off-duty employment is dealt with under Defence Force Regulations, A.7, which broadly state that where a member if engaged in off-duty employment which is likely to prove detrimental to the best interests of the Force, measures may be taken to terminate, or limit, the scope of such employment.
Will the Minister accept that one of the primary reasons why members of the Defence Forces take second jobs is the low rate of pay——
The Deputy is injecting new matter into this question.
——and that is a feature that clearly must impinge on the better interests of the force? Will the Minister indicate whether he is prepared to review the regulations to deal with the question in a more direct way?
It is a separate question.
(Limerick West): It has been long-standing practice that men of the Defence Forces engage in part-time off-duty employment. In so doing they are availing of a right held by any member of the community on the basis outlined in my reply.
Has this matter been discussed at Cabinet level in view of the fact that people taking up this kind of work on a double jobbing basis are interfering with the prospects of work for other people, and are obviously having an effect on the employment figures and the targets set by the Government for employment?
(Limerick West): As I have already outlined to the Deputy certain guidelines are laid down. They are engaging and availing of the right held by other members of the community at large. That is the position as I see it.
Does the Minister have any concern regarding this problem? If he has, would he be agreeable to have a review of the present situation, having regard to reports that the phenomenon of double jobbing is increasing substantially out of necessity? Recruits are being sought after by private interests to maintain aircraft, to cater at race meetings and engage in many other activities which seem to be increasing on a weekly basis. Would the Minister be prepared to review the matter at departmental level and report to the Dáil?
(Limerick West): Of course the Minister is concerned and, of course, the situation is reviewed on an ongoing basis. As I have said, the restrictions which are placed on off-duty employment under Defence Force Regulation A.7 are regularly brought to the notice of all serving personnel through the medium of the unit routine orders.