Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 3

Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

34 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence the total cost to the Exchequer in 1997 terms of troops serving on overseas missions; the basis of the make-up of that figure; the repayments made to date in 1997 in relation to this cost by the UN and other organisations; the 1997 cost of officers and non-commissioned officers, if applicable, of temporary acting appointments due to these overseas missions; the numbers, by rank, involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23099/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The total cost to the Exchequer in 1997 of troops serving on overseas missions was £23,600,000 approximately. This figure is made up of £15 million approximately on normal pay and allowances and £8.6 million approximately on extra costs, chiefly overseas allowances, cost of telephone calls and postage, temporary promotions, travel or leave and preparation of contingents. Arrears of almost £7 million have been paid by the UN to date in 1997. The annual cost of temporary acting appointments overseas is approximately £225,000. As the data in relation to the numbers of such appointments is in the form of a tabular statement I propose to circulate it in the Official Report.

Statement

Acting Rank	Number of Personnel
Lieutenant Colonel	1
Commandant	2
Captain	1
Barrack Sergeant Major	9
Barrack Quartermaster Sergeant	1
Company Sergeant	8
Company Quartermaster	2
Sergeant
Sergeant	54
Corporal	66
Total	144