asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that the present overseas allowances for Army personnel are the same as when fixed in 1960; and if it is proposed to increase the allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Overseas Allowances.
327.
The overseas allowances for Irish military personnel serving with the United Nations Force in Cyprus were fixed in March, 1964, at the rates which applied for service in the Congo during the period 1960-1964. The rates are regarded as reasonable and it is not proposed to increase them.
Has that not been increased by the other armies in the meantime?
I am afraid I cannot say what other armies have done. I know what is being done in respect of our Army and I think it is pretty reasonable.
Were these rates paid in respect of officers who were in Israel?
That is a different matter. It will come up in a later question.
328.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that Army personnel serving in the Middle East get ten dollars per day from the United Nations; that other Governments subsidise their army personnel serving there; but that there is no subsidy in respect of Irish Army personnel; and if he will consider introducing such a subsidy.
I am aware that, for many years, the United Nations had paid an allowance of ten dollars per day to officers serving with the United Nations truce supervision organisation in the Middle East. Arising out of a review which is still continuing, that allowance has recently been increased to 12½ dollars, and a new clothing allowance of 200 dollars a year has been provided.
I am also aware that some countries are, at their own expense, paying allowances additional to those provided by the United Nations, to their officers serving in the Middle East, and that some countries are not. The position of Irish officers, in this respect, is at present under consideration.
Does the Minister, not agree that this aspect of the problem is one of the reasons adduced for the number of personnel who were leaving the Army, and will he consider it as a matter of urgency? The position is one of concern to officers and I suggest it is a matter which should be considered urgently by the Minister and the Government. I am not suggesting it has arisen since Deputy Gibbons became Minister for Defence.
The Deputy will agree that recent changes that have been made are quite substantial. In the course of the year they amount to £463, not an insignificant amount.
But that is from the UN—we are not making any subsidy towards it.
Several countries do not.
But several do.
How many officers are involved?
I will get the figure for the Deputy.
To my knowledge it is only two or three.
It is a small number.
And the amount is accordingly small.