Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Allowances.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

175 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence if he will create an establishment for the sensor and airborne radar operators which adequately reflects the responsibilities of the role and provides a career path for properly qualified personnel; if he will sanction the payment of technical pay grade five to all sensor and airborne radar operators with an ex gratia payment of arrears back dated to date of rating and the back payment of the higher rate of flying pay to sensor and airborne radar operators from the start of training; and if he will agree to the payment of an allowance for hours worked outside normal duty hours. [15681/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

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 and may be processed through the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Permanent Defence Force which was established in agreement with the association. It is open to the association at any time to present a claim concerning the rates of pay and allowances payable to personnel in the ranks represented by the association.

The question of the payment of technician pay to non-commissioned personnel of the Air Corps engaged on sensor and airborne radar duties has been raised by PDFORRA under the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme and is presently the subject of discussion at subcommittee level. Under the terms of the scheme, as agreed with the association, discussions on claims which are being processed are confidential and the Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.

I would like to add that a study of the Air Corps carried out by Price Waterhouse management consultants is presently under consideration. I believe that the report resulting from this study will produce a definitive blueprint for the development of a promotional structure that would recognise and reward the operational expertise and level of responsibility of personnel of the Air Corps.