Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 6

Written Answers. - FCA Uniform Allowances.

David Stanton

Question:

172 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons to be appointed as officers of the FCA at the end of November 1997 are required under Defence Force regulation R5 to provide themselves with certain items of uniform (details supplied); the reason they are not reimbursed the full vouched cost as is the practice for PDF cadets and PDF senior NCOs in view of Defence Force regulation paragraph 100 (1) and (2); and if he will rectify this situation. [19058/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Defence Force regulations prescribe that an allowance, the current rate of which is £320, is payable to a person who has been appointed to be an officer of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil towards the cost of providing himself with a tunic and one trousers of officers' pattern standard. The rate of allowance is revised from time to time on foot of claims submitted by the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association through the Department's conciliation and arbitration machinery. All other items of officers' pattern clothing are issuable to officers of the FCA at public expense.

The rate of initial uniform allowance payable to officers of the Permanent Defence Force includes an amount of £320 towards the cost of providing themselves with a tunic and one trousers. Cadets, on first reporting for cadet traing, are paid the vouched cost of providing themselves with a uniform tunic and one trousers or skirt, as appropriate.

Senior non-commissioned personnel of the Permanent Defence Force on promotion to the rank of sergeant-major or battalion quartermaster-sergeant are paid an initial allowance of £370 towards the cost of providing themselves with a tunic and two pairs of trousers of approved standard pattern.