Vol. 533 No. 4
89 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence if he has given consideration to the provision of an allowance to members of the Defence Forces who are involved in Border duty in the fight against foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9164/01]
The Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, has recently sub mitted a claim on behalf of members of the Defence Forces who have been engaged in additional duties arising out of the foot and mouth disease emergency and this claim is currently being processed through the conciliation and arbitration scheme. By agreement with the association, discussions under the scheme are confidential to the parties involved. Accordingly, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this issue at present, other than to say that I hope for an early resolution.
Permanent Defence Force personnel serving in border units are in receipt of a Border duty allowance of £59.63 per week in the case of officers and £53.74 per week in the case of non-commissioned officers and privates. All personnel who are engaged on Border duties arising from the foot and mouth scare will be eligible to be paid Border Duty Allowance in addition to their normal regimental pay and military service allowance.
Military service allowance is payable to 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 a wide range of conditions. The current rate in the case of officers is £2,502 per annum, and in the case of non-commissioned officers and privates is £65.83 per week, £3,423 per annum. Privates with less than three years' service receive £23.70 per week. These allowances are paid, irrespective of the actual hours worked, on a continuous basis, including periods of annual leave and sick leave.
Question No. 90 answered with Question No. 23.
Question No. 91 answered with Question No. 20.
Question No. 92 answered with Question No. 22.
