asked the Minister for Justice the average weekly wage packet of gardaí on border duty; and the daily allowances payable to them in addition to their pay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Border Pay.
41.
The average weekly wage packet of gardaí on Border duty during the month of March was £50.07. This includes basic pay and overtime and allowances for night-duty, rent, cycle and boots. In addition, gardaí who are on temporary transfer at the Border receive a daily subsistence allowance of £2.83 during the first 14 days and of £1.71 thereafter.
Is the Minister aware that due to the location of some of the small Garda stations this subsistence allowance and the other emoluments are not sufficient because meals are not readily available and they may have to travel for them after their work?
I am aware that there is a certain amount of hardship involved for gardaí who are on temporary duty on the Border and I regret that they have to suffer it. We owe a deep debt of thanks to them for all the duties they are performing up there in difficult circumstances. I know there are some cases of hardship of the type described by the Deputy and so far as possible postings are made so as to take this into account and minimise it as much as possible.
Can the Minister say why are the daily allowances reduced from £2.83 to £1.71 after 14 days? Is there some reason for that?
Normally, when a person in public service is moved to a new post there is a higher initial allowance to cover the first period in the new post because there may be extra expense involved until the person can settle into a permanent or semi-permanent residence at a different rate.
There are some cases where a permanent residence is not available and these gardaí have to go to the nearest hotel. Should that not be regarded as being in the same category as the first 14 days? If the garda goes to a hotel or guesthouse during his first 14 days and if, due to circumstances he is compelled to stay there, surely there is a case to be made that the subsidy for those 14 days should continue if the conditions are the same, and they are the same.
I am not aware that is the case and I have no doubt that the Garda Representative Body, if their members were suffering in the manner as outlined by the Deputy, would take up any such cases that might arise.