asked the Minister for Defence when the annual grant for the first line reserve was first established; and whether there have been any increases in such grants over the years to compensate for the rise in the cost of living and the fall in the value of money.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Force Allowances.
72.
The rates of grant were fixed in 1945. The adequacy of the rates has been reviewed on a number of occasions since then. A further review is at present in progress.
Is it not a fact that the present grant was the grant paid in 1928 and not in 1945? It was reviewed in 1945 or 1946, but no action was taken. Is it not also a fact that no change has been made, that a captain was paid £50 grant in 1928 and that he is paid £50 grant today?
My information is that the rates were fixed in 1945 and they have been reviewed on a number of occasions since. There has not been any change, that is quite right, but a review is in progress at the moment.
Does the Minister see any purpose in reviewing if no action has been taken since 1928? They were reviewed in 1945 — I was told 1946 the last time — and nothing has happened as a result of the review. Will the Minister take a serious look at this to bring these grants into line with normal increases of pay? The captain is now paid four times as much salary, but the grant remains the same as it was in 1928.
The Deputy will appreciate that the grant is only one small item in the matter of pay.
I accept that, but is the Minister aware that unless the person who is entitled to the grant attends for three weeks annually he does not get the full grant and also that income tax is deducted from the £50?
That is so. As I have already stated, a review is taking place at present.
73.
asked the Minister for Defence if any decision has yet been reached with regard to compensating members of the first line reserve who were at a loss of income as a result of being on active service in 1969; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A decision has not yet been reached. Examination of the matter is, however, being expedited as much as possible.
Is the Minister aware I asked a question on this matter on 19th December, 1969, seven months ago? He is still considering the matter and it has now been decided to expedite examination of it. Will he reach a decision before Christmas this year or next year?
I do not delay too long in dealing with these matters.
74.
asked the Minister for Defence the allowances paid to members of the FCA and the Slua Muirí in 1960 and at present; and if he intends increasing these allowances.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the gratuities which are payable to members of an Forsa Cosanta Áitiúil and an Slua Muirí after attendance at annual training. As the information is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.
The rates of gratuity are at present under review.
Following is the statement:
AN FÓRSA COSANTA ÁITIÚIL AND AN SLUA MUIRÍ.
ANNUAL GRATUITY.
|
RANK |
Where a period of not less than fourteen days' training or instruction is completed |
Where a period of seven days or more but less than fourteen days' training or instruction is completed |
|
£ |
£ s. d. |
|
|
An Area Commander, an Officer of a Brigade Staff or an Officer in command of a Com- pany, Battery, Fort Complement or Squadron. |
15 |
5 0 0 |
|
Other Officers. |
10 |
3 0 0 |
|
N.C.Os. |
8 |
2 10 0 |
|
Privates |
6 |
2 0 0 |
Note: These are the rates of gratuities which applied in 1960. They have since remained un changed.
75.
asked the Minister for Defence whether he will provide allowances for Army personnel in respect of additional expenses incurred when they are away from home on courses.
Personnel attending courses of instruction abroad receive special course allowances. As regards attendance at courses in the State, arrangements are being made which will provide that a married non-commissioned officer or private separated from his family while attending any such course will no longer suffer any deduction from his total remuneration even though he is fed and accommodated at the public expense during the course. The position of married officers in this respect is at present under examination.
76.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide removal and disturbance allowances for members of the Defence Forces in respect of the additional costs incurred by them on transfer from one post to another.
A scheme providing for the payment of removal and other expenses to married officers, non-commissioned officers and privates on permanent transfer of station, has been introduced.
77.
asked the Minister for Defence whether, in view of the fact that the rates for overseas service with the United Nations Forces paid to members of the Defence Forces have remained unaltered since 1960, he will now provide a substantial increase in these rates.
The overseas allowances for Irish military personnel serving with the United Nations Forces 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.
How is it calculated that after a period of six years elapsing there is no case to be made for an increase? If it was equitable in 1964, surely it cannot be equitable in 1970?
This refers to allowances.
Allowances mean pay.
The personnel have participated in the home increases that have been given since, and the rates and allowances compare very favourably with those of other nations.
Has there been no alteration in the allowances paid to soldiers from other nations during this period?
It is difficult to get that information, but from what we can gather our rates compare favourably with those of other nations.