Madeleine Taylor-Quinn
Question:3 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he has implemented the Gleeson report recommendation on flying pay for the Air Corps; and when he will be in a position to make all exgratia payments.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces' Remuneration.
Enda Kenny
Question:25 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Defence when he intends implementing the Gleeson report recommendations on revised rates of remuneration for (1) third and fourth year apprentices and (2) special service officers.
Louis J. Belton
Question:28 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Defence if the Gleeson report recommendation on the overseas allowance has been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Louis J. Belton
Question:38 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the up-to-date position in relation to revised arrangements for the patrol duty allowance and the in-charge allowance.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 25, 28 and 38 together.
I wish to have Deputies' co-operation to dispose of the four questions before the House. They are priority questions and must be disposed of in accordance with Standing Orders.
The recommendations of the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces relating to revised rates of flying pay for certain Air Corps personnel, revised rates of pay for third and fourth year apprentices, new pay scales for special service officers, new rates of overseas allowance and revised arrangements for patrol duty allowances and in-charge allowances have been fully implemented.
Payment of the new rates commenced in October-November 1990 with effect from the appropriate recommended dates.
The ex-gratia payments which the commission recommended for certain Air Corps officers were made in January 1991 in respect of the year ending 31 December 1990.
Has the full recommendation of the Gleeson report been implemented? Has the ex-gratia payment of £6,000 per annum for pilot officers who have completed 12 years' qualified service been paid? Has the payment of £5,000 per annum to lieutenant colonels been paid?
Yes.
Will the Minister outline the position of apprentices? What improvements in remuneration are he, and his Department, considering?
The revised recommended rates for apprentices, as I have already outlined and all other recommended increases have been paid. Any further recommendations or reviews can be dealt with later. They are separate.
Is the Minister satisfied that the discussions he has had with the representative bodies are conclusive? Is he happy with their suggestions?
I have not discussed the recommendations of the Gleeson report with the representative bodies who were established recently. The representative bodies have not approached me to discuss the matters to which the Deputy refers. Quite recently I had occasion to visit the Air Corps in Baldonnel. Morale there was very high; I have never known the Air Corps to be in such a buoyant mood as they are at present.
I compliment the Minister on getting the maximum national publicity on his visit by being on the "Gay Byrne Show". The coverage was good for the Air Corps. I hope the Minister will do more to improve morale.