Vol. 493 No. 5
117 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Defence if an appropriate payment will be made to members of the Permanent Defence Forces who were involved in additional duties due to the extra security arrangements arising from the BSE difficulties; when this payment, if any, will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16816/98]
Under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, the payment of allowances comes 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 payment of an allowance to personnel involved with the recent BSE-related operations in Border areas has been raised by PDFORRA 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. You will appreciate, therefore, that as the matter is under active consideration at present it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
I would like to add, however, that in addition to basic pay, a military service allowance is payable to all members of the Permanent Defence Force up to and including the rank of colonel to compensate personnel for the special conditions associated with military life, such as the unsocial hours of duty, being subject to transfers and a requirement to serve in all conditions. The current rate in the case of officers is £2,101 per annum, and in the case of non-commissioned officers and privates is £40.28 per week — £2,101 per annum — with the exception of privates with less than three years' service who receive £14.50 per week. The allowance is paid irrespective of the actual hours worked. In addition, all personnel posted to Border units are in receipt of a Border duty allowance of £50.07 per week in the case of officers and £45.13 per week in the case of non-commissioned officers and privates. The allowance is paid, irrespective of the actual hours worked, on a continuous basis, including periods of annual leave, sick leave, etc.
