I propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 312 and 313 together.
The current Garda recruit competition commenced in late 2013 and attracted over 20,000 applications. Details of the remuneration package, i.e. basic pay and other allowances including unsocial hours allowances, were made available to all applicants prior to their recruitment. These pay scales do not include any allowances. It is expected that newly attested Gardaí will be assigned to frontline duties and will work the Garda Roster system. This will immediately attract unsocial hours payments which, in addition with other relevant allowances, amounts to over 25% of their earnings. Even at the entry level of €23,171 and the lower end of unsocial hours scale, this would add almost €5,800 to their salary.
The Deputies will be aware that under the 2013 Haddington Road Agreement, the current remuneration and conditions of service of members of An Garda Síochána together with an evaluation of annualised hours/shift pay arrangements are being examined as part of a wider review of An Garda Síochána.
However, the Deputies will also be aware that, following a review of all allowances in the public service in 2011 and 2012, rent allowance for all new public servants including Gardaí, Prison Officers and Fire Officers was abolished in early 2012. There are no plans to re-instate this allowance.