Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Dec 1991

Vol. 414 No. 1

Written Answers. - Barrack Damages.

Séamus Pattison

Ceist:

47 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Defence when barrack damages are required to be paid; the procedures involved in having such payments levied against members of the Defence Forces, both PDF and Reserve; the amount collected, by Command, under this heading in each year 1987 to 1990 and to 31 August 1991; and, having regard to the recommendation of the Gleeson report on this issue if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Defence (Mr. V. Brady)

As part of the reply regarding the amounts collected is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose to circulate it in the Official Report.

Barrack damages are required to be paid when military buildings or fixtures are damaged by members of the Permanent Defence Force or, Reserve Defence Force. Where damage occurs, the amount of the damage is assessed and, where no individual can be identified as the cause of the damage, the cost is levied on all troops occupying the barracks or camp at the time the damage occurred.

The amount levied against each member and the names of the individuals concerned are published in unit routine orders and appropriate deductions are made from the pay of these individuals.

Certain difficulties have been encountered in adopting the recommendation in the Gleeson report that deductions below £5 for barrack damages should be collected locally rather than through the payroll system. The matter is, however, being examined further.

Statement.

Amounts collected in respect of barrack damages

Command	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991 to 31 August
	£	£	£	£	£
Western	738	1,287	226	799	212
Southern	176	281	158	38	10
Eastern	206	389	Nil	Nil	107
Curragh	625	554	1,046	651	172
Total	1,745	2,511	1,430	1,488	501