asked the Minister for Defence if he is fully satisfied with the pay and conditions of work of the military personnel in Gormanston camp who are responsible for the welfare of refugees from the Six Countries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gormanston (Meath) Army Personnel.
87.
The answer is in the affirmative.
In relation to the Minister's reply, is he aware that there are certain technicians who, in civilian life would be earning £20 to £30 per week and as reservists are being paid only, approximately, £8 a week? Is he aware also, or can he confirm, that certain private firms, whose employees have gone into the camp as reservists, are not recouping their employees for the deficit in their pay as a result of becoming members of the Reserve Force and that, in fact, some of those people's jobs have been jeopardised by the fact that they have become reservists? Is he also aware that many of those reservists are being asked to do mental work which could only be described as very bad for morale? This is particularly a cause for worry in view of the fact that those men joined up in anticipation of acting as soldiers and not as chars. Is the Minister also aware that the sleeping accommodation being offered to the reservists is very bad indeed and that they are being asked to sleep in cold cement structures and in some cases they have been asked to sleep in aircraft hangars?
I wonder if the Deputy and myself are dealing with the one question? There is nothing in this question about reservists.
I am asking a question in relation to the pay and Conditions of married personnel at Gormanston Camp, many of whom are reservists?
Those are military personnel. The question does not specifically deal with reservists.
Reservists are military personnel for the purpose of this question and reservists are serving in the capacity mentioned in the question at Gormanston Camp. Surely therefore their conditions are relevant to this question?
I suggest that that is a separate question. I have no information on that from the Minister.