Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Feb 1992

Vol. 416 No. 1

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Uniform Allowance.

Seán Ryan

Question:

109 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline (1) the criteria for payment of uniform allowances to members of the Reserve, (2) the current amounts payable, (3) the amounts actually paid in the financial years 1990 and 1991 and (4) the number of applications for payment of these which are on hands in his Department as at 31 December 1991; and if he will make a statement on whether the amount currently payable is sufficient to meet the actual amount paid for an infantry uniform.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Wilson)

Defence Forces Regulations provide for the payment to a person who has been appointed to be an officer of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil or An Slua Muirí, of an initial uniform allowance towards the cost of providing himself with a uniform tunic and trousers.

Defence Forces Regulations also provide for the payment of an allowance to an officer, for the purpose of replacing the uniform tunic and trousers, in respect of each year in which he completes a continuous period of at least seven days full-time training or instruction or attends at least 24 local training parades or the equivalent in hours of training.

Officers of the reserve of officers (first line) retain their uniform on transfer to the reserve and receive one third of the Permanent Defence Force replacement allowance each year in which they undergo seven days training.

The current rates are:

	Initial	Replenishment
	£	£
Army — Male	565	420
Army — Female	798	560
Naval Service	565	420
An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil	151	30
An Slua Muirí	225	60

The approximate amount of uniform allowance paid to members of the Reserve Defence Forces in each of the years 1990 and 1991 was £21,000.

There were no outstanding claims for payment of uniform allowance from officers of the reserve on 31 December 1991.

The cost to officers of providing articles of uniform is reflected by the allowances indicated which are reviewed periodically and adjusted as necessary.