Vol. 431 No. 2
24 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the normal number of hours worked per week by members of the Defence Forces; whether overtime is payable in any circumstances; if so, if he will specify those circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The daily routine duties of military personnel are undertaken within the period from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a lunch break of 1.5 hours, and from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Saturday. Barrack security and operations in aid to the Civil Power require groups of personnel to be on duty outside of those hours on a rota basis.
Overtime is not paid to members of the Permanent Defence Forces. However, to compensate military personnel for certain liabilities associated with military service such as long hours of duty they are paid, in addition to basic pay, a special Military Service Allowance and other allowances associated with the duties performed.
The arrangements concluded recently for the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Permanent Defence Force provide for consideration of claims relating to remuneration. While, due to the nature of military service, claims for overtime payments may not be entertained, claims for specific allowances for any type of duty, including those duties which of their nature involve long hours, may be submitted under this heading.
