Vol. 487 No. 7
19 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 17 December 1997, the steps, if any, which are taken under DFR R5, Par 95(2) to check if reservists normally reside with their families and if, in practice, the determining factor in the deduction or waiver of deduction for rations is the actual marital status of the reservist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5046/98]
58 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 17 December 1997, the steps, if any, which are taken under DFR R5 Par. 95(2) to check if reservists normally reside with their families and if, in practice, the determining factor in the deduction or waiver of deduction for rations is the actual marital status of the reservist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5044/98]
87 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 17 December 1997, the steps, if any, which are taken under DFR R5 Par. 95(2) to check if reservists normally reside with their families and if, in practice, the determining factor in the deduction or waiver of deduction for rations is the actual marital status of the reservist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5045/98]
165 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 17 December 1997, the steps, if any, which are taken under DFR R5 paragraph 95(2) to check if reservists normally reside with their families and if, in practice, the determining factor in the deduction or waiver of deduction for rations is the actual marital status of the reservists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5180/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 58, 87 and 165 together.
The arrangements governing the deduction of rations are provided for in Defence Force Regulations. Under normal arrangements a marriage certificate is required from a reservist to confirm marital status. In addition, any changes in the reservist's address must be notified to the unit concerned.
However, following consultation with representatives of the personnel of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí, the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association — RDFRA — was established in July 1992. The association represents its members in discussions with the Department of Defence on matters concerning their remuneration and certain other conditions of service. Rates of allowances, including deductions for rations, come within the scope of representation. Accordingly, this matter comes within the remit of RDFRA and can be dealt with under the representative arrangements which have been agreed with the association and it is open to the association to present a claim at any time. No claim has been received from the association in regard to the question of ration deductions.
