asked the Minister for Defence if he will raise the FCA gratuity to a realistic level to compensate for increased cost of transport, unsocial hours, conditions during training and the health hazard due to the inadequacy of the issue of kit.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - FCA Gratuity.
25.
The rates of gratuities payable to members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí were last increased with effect from 1st January, 1971. It is not proposed to increase these gratuities at present.
In view of the fact that there has been no increase since 1971, is there any reason why there should not be an upgrading of the financial commitment to the FCA? There have been substantial increases in the cost of transport and the cost of the upkeep of uniforms. No uniforms are available and no greatcoats have been available for quite some considerable time and people have to use civilian wear on training. Surely the stage has been reached when there should be an upgrading of the financial commitment to members of the FCA.
Is the Deputy aware that in 1950 the Coalition Government introduced these payments. They remained unchanged for nearly 21 years and during most of that period Fianna Fáil were in office. In addition to a gratuity while on annual training, a member receives the full permanent Defence Force rate of pay appropriate to his rank. The total amount—and I emphasise total—to which a member would be entitled, assuming he attends for the 14 days annual training, is as follows. In 1971 under Fianna Fáil, a sergeant received £70 and he now receives £137; in 1971 under Fianna Fáil, a corporal received £67 and he now receives £130; a single private recruit received £41 in 1971 under Fianna Fáil and he now receives £90. The Deputy will agree that, even taking inflation into consideration, these are very substantial improvements in comparison with the allowances provided by Fianna Fáil when they were in office. It is my desire and my hope that the position will be kept under review. I assure the Deputy that, while I have no proposal to increase the gratuity at the moment, I will certainly look into the matter and give it my close personal attention.
A final question from Deputy Dowling. I want to get on to other business.
Do I take it that the figures given by the Minister refer to the gratuities payable to members of the FCA?
On annual training.
Could I inform the Minister that the gratuities payable——
A question, please, Deputy.
I am disputing the Minister's figures.
By way of question.
Is the Minister aware that the gratuity payable to a private soldier is £12, to an NCO £16, and to an officer £20, and not the figures as stated by the Minister?
I am afraid we are now entering into the realm of argument.
In view of the fact that there has been no increase since 1971 and galloping inflation over the years, will the Minister consider as an immediate measure increasing the gratuities for these men who have to buy their own socks, shirts and greatcoats.
They had to buy many socks and greatcoats under Fianna Fáil——
And hair shirts too.
——and they did not get very much consideration. I want to repeat for Deputy Dowling's information that the total amount to which a member would be entitled——
Are these the gratuities?
The total.
This question must come to finality very quickly. I am moving on to other business.
In 1971, the year in which the Deputy seems to take pride——
What about the gratuities?
This is the total amount.
The question referred to gratuities. That is what I am asking about. I do not want this bluff element. I want to know about the gratuities.
This matter must be debated at some other time.
It is the money going into the person's pocket that counts. In 1971 a sergeant received £70 for the full 14 days training as against £137 which he now receives.
I am not interested in training. I am interested in the gratuities.
In 1971 the ordinary private got £41 when Fianna Fáil were in office and he receives £90 today.
He receives a gratuity of £12.
The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper of the next sitting day of An Dáil.
The Minister has given erroneous information to the House——
The Deputy will not defy the Chair.
I am not defying the Chair.
The Deputy will resume his seat.
A private soldier receives——
The Deputy will leave the House.
I will leave the House as a protest because you request me to do so. If you want to protect the Minister you can continue to protect him as you have protected other Ministers.
This is the Deputy's usual contemptible approach towards the Chair.
Deputy Dowling withdrew from the Chamber.