Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 3

Written Answers. - Fire Officers' Allowance.

Liam Aylward

Question:

238 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will review the contents of circular letter EL8/96 (ref. EL632) of 10 July 1996 which sanctioned the payment of a special annual allowance for senior fire officers for enhanced availability from 1 May 1996 but ignored the claim for this allowance of all senior fire officers who retired pre-May 1996; if he will arrange to have this matter remedied by opening negotiations with the senior fire officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9822/00]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

Under an agreement between the local government staff negotiations board and the IMPACT union, an allowance is paid to senior fire officers who provide enhanced availability on a rostered on-call basis. This allowance became payable to rostered officers with effect from 1 May 1996 or when a rota was implemented. There is no basis on which an allowance such as this may be reflected in the pensions of persons who were not in receipt of the allowance before they retired.