Vol. 415 No. 7
3 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that even though many soldiers in the Defence Forces (a) have completed successful courses to prepare for promotion, (b) have spent some time filling higher level ranks in an unpaid acting capacity and (c) have served abroad in these higher ranks, they still remain without the promotion and the higher pay attached to these promotions.
4 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline (a) the number of Army personnel who were filling higher level positions on an unpaid basis in each of the years 1988 to 1991, (b) the rank in each case and (c) the number of these personnel that were subsequently promoted.
5 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if there are any Army personnel filling higher positions on an unpaid acting basis.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 4 and 5 together.
Non-commissioned personnel who wish to be considered for promotion are required to have completed appropriate courses — e.g. potential NCO's course, standard NCO's course, senior NCO's course. Certain personnel serving overseas on UN missions may be promoted in a temporary capacity for the duration of such service only. Attendance at such courses or promotion in an acting capacity does not convey any entitlement to substantive promotion.
Promotion in a temporary capacity on overseas service in fact attracts the rate of pay as the higher rank.
Pursuant to a recommendation of the Gleeson Commission discussions are taking place with the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association in regard to arrangements for additional remuneration for noncommissioned personnel who temporarily perform the duties of a higher rank for more than 30 consecutive days.
The statistical information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and its compilation would involve an undue amount of time.
