asked the Minister for Justice whether it is proposed to revise the existing Gárda Síochána Rent Allowance Order with a view to increasing the present rent allowance scales; and, if so, whether he can say when a revised Order will be promulgated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gárda Síochána Rent Allowance.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that many members of the Gárda Síochána attached to stations in Cork City are unable to procure housing accommodation within the city area, and that in cases where they rent houses outside the city boundary their rent allowance is reduced to £12 per annum; and whether, in view of the hardship inflicted by this arrangement on a number of members of the Gárda, he is prepared to revise the regulations so far as Cork City is concerned to authorise the payment of the higher rate of allowance to men attached to city stations who are forced by the dearth of housing accommodation in the city to rent houses outside the borough boundary.
I shall take questions 5 and 6 together. Proposals for revising the rent allowances payable to members of the Gárda Síochána are at present being considered by the Department of Finance. In the framing of the proposals, due advertence was had to the matters mentioned by Deputy Hurley.
Might I ask the Minister if that is to apply to the force generally or is it only to apply to the district mentioned in the question?
I take it that that would apply generally.
Could the Minister say when the revised Order is likely to be promulgated?
No.