Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 10

Written Answers. - Defence Forces' Overseas Allowances.

Avril Doyle

Question:

30 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the daily rate of overseas allowance paid to Defence Force personnel in the former Yugoslavia; the criteria used in determining this rate; and if he has satisfied himself that this rate is adequate.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

45 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence the daily rate of overseas allowance paid to Defence Force personnel in the former Yugoslavia; the criteria used in determining this rate; and if he has satisfied himself that this rate is adequate.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 45 together.

The rate of overseas allowance payable to Defence Force personnel in former Yugoslavia is £10.72 per day plus normal pay. This allowance is the subject of claims by both Defence Forces representative associations under the conciliation and arbitration scheme established in agreement with them in March of this year.

In accordance with standard practice for unarmed observer missions, a daily subsistence allowance is also paid direct by the United Nations to military observers. In the case of the former Yugoslavia, the United Nations pay an allowance of $150 per day for the first 30 days of the mission and thereafter an allowance of $110 a day in Croatia and Macedonia and $120 a day in Bosnia.