Vol. 411 No. 8
9 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the extent of the issue of clothing for a three star private in the Reserve; whether additional clothing is ordinarily issued to Reserve personnel who undertake casual security duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Defence Force Regulations provide for the issue of a wide range of items of clothing and necessaries to non-commissioned officers and privates of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí. These items include trousers — walking out and working dress — tunics — walking out and working dress — greatcoat, sweater, shirt, shoes, socks, boots, and headdress. They are replaced at public expense when as a result of fair wear and tear they are no longer serviceable.
Members of the First Line Reserve, on transfer from the Permanent Defence Force, retain the clothing that was issued to them as members of the PDF and as items become unserviceable through fair wear and tear they are also replaced at public expense.
Regulations also provide for the issue of additional items such as trousers, tunic, shirts, socks, boots, etc. to NCOs and privates of the FCA who are employed on security duties for a continuous period of not less than 14 days' duration.
The situation on the ground is not in accordance with the Minister's reply. Would the Minister not agree that it is an utter disgrace that young men and women, who in many cases are unemployed or students, and carrying out voluntary duty for the State should be required to purchase their own clothing to keep themselves warm while on duty? In fact this is what is happening. They are not getting their full entitlement to clothing and in many cases they have to purchase their own clothing to keep themselves warm.
In 1980, as a result of a major review of the FCA uniforms, a new uniform was provided for members. Up until then the uniform consisted of a jacket and some other articles of clothing which were on general issue to the members of the PDF. The question of issuing of new items of uniform to members of the FCA is kept under constant review within the existing financial constraints I mentioned earlier. Whenever circumstances permit new or extra articles of uniform are made available to members. For example, in 1990, in conjunction with the issue of a working dress, a sweater was made available to members. All articles of clothing issued to the FCA are of the same in pattern and quality as that on issue to their PDF counterparts. There has been a great improvement in relation to clothing. I have quite an amount of detail here which I will communicate to the Deputy.
Have the Department considered a change in the quality of cloth, from bullswool and serge for the FCA?
I do not have any information about that, but I can assure the Deputy, that the quality is the same as that used for the PDF.
Is a change being considered?
I am assured that the quality is good, but I am not an expert in clothing.
Would the Minister not accept that the minimum clothing requirement for people on duty in the service of this State is a combat jacket, liners, scarf and gloves? Unfortunately, they are not being provided and will the Minister give a commitment that in the Estimates further finance will be made available for this?
I have quite an amount of detail about various items of clothing and their costing etc. but I will have the matter fully examined and if there is any further assistance we can give in that regard we will provide it.
