Vol. 485 No. 3
37 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the terms and conditions of remuneration in the Naval Service; his views on the numbers leaving the service; and the plans, if any, he has to improve the situation. [18168/97]
Under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, matters relating to pay and allowances come 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 associations. The question of the rate of patrol duty allowance payable to members of the Naval Service has been raised by the associations 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 and you will appreciate, therefore, that it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.
During the period December 1996 to November 1997, 81 non-commissioned personnel have left the Naval Service, some having transferred to other areas of the Permanent Defence Force. A total of 100 non-commissioned personnel were recruited to the Naval Service during the same period. A total of 13 officers have left the Naval Service since 1996, while a total of 13 naval cadetships have been awarded during the same period.
