Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 3

Written Answers. - Army Canteen Board.

Michael Bell

Question:

118 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the trading and financial performance of the Army Canteen Board since 1995; the number, by rank, of Defence Forces personnel who are currently involved in staffing these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23297/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The trading and financial performance of the board in 1995 and 1996 was as follows:

	1995	1996
	£	£
Sales	2,405,074	2,616,660
Salaries and travelling expenses	220,030	212,385
Retirement gratuities	13,330	658
Administration costs	240,465	227,562
Net loss	194,094	180,248
Profit returned to privates' messes	350,848	384,122

The accounts for 1997 will not be available until early in 1998.

Two officers of the Permanent Defence Force, a lieutenant-colonel and a commandant, are employed full-time with the board. The board does not employ the members of the Defence Forces who staff the canteens and messes. The board exercises supervisory financial control over privates' messes but the staffing of the messes is the responsibility of the Commanding Officer for each mess.