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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Nov 1996

Vol. 472 No. 1

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Deployment.

Edward Nealon

Question:

334 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Defence the additional pay allowances and other allowances made to members of the Defence Forces serving on BSE Border patrols; if any increase in these allowances is under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22575/96]

In addition to basic pay, a military service allowance is payable to all members of the Permanent Defence Force up to and including the rank of colonel to compensate personnel for the special conditions associated with military life, such as the unsocial hours of duty, being subject to transfers and a requirement to serve in all conditions. The current rate in the case of officers is £2,070 per annum, and in the case of noncommissioned officers and privates is £39.10 per week (£2,040 p.a.), with the exception of privates with less than three years' service who receive £14.09 per week.

The allowance is paid irrespective of the actual hours worked. In addition, all personnel posted to Border units are in receipt of a Border duty allowance of £49.57 per week in the case of officers and £43.81 per week in the case of noncommissioned officers and privates. The allowance is paid, irrespective of the actual hours worked, on a continuous basis, incuding during periods of annual leave, sick leave, etc.
Subsistence allowance is payable only where personnel who are performing duties away from their stations are not provided with meals. This does not arise frequently, however, as there is a comprehensive catering system in place in Border units, in which there has been heavy investment, to cope with feeding troops in the field.
Under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, the payment of allowances comes within the scope of representation of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) and the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) and may be processed through the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force which was established in agreement with the association.
The question of the payment of an allowance to personnel involved with the recent BSE-related operations in Border areas has been raised under the terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme. Under the terms of the scheme, as agreed with the associations, discussions on claims which are being processed are confidential. You will appreciate, therefore, that as the matter is under active consideration at present it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
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