Vol. 480 No. 8
12 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether the hours worked by soldiers on security duties are excessive; the proposals, if any, he has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15163/97]
The hours worked by pesonnel on security duties vary according to location and the security situation at any particular time. In general, personnel detailed for barrack or post security are employed on that duty for 24 hours. The hours worked on other type security duties, such as providing aid to the civil power, cannot be accurately predicted as it depends upon the security situation and resources available at any particular time. A security duty allowance is payable when Permanent Defence Force personnel are required to carry out such duties outside of their normal working schedule.
Under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, matters relating to pay and allowances come within the scope of representation of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) and the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) and may be processed through the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force which was established in agreement with the associations. The question of a review of security duty allowance has been raised with PDFORRA under the terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme and in the context of the agreement reached with the association under the local bargaining clause of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. It is intended to proceed with this review in the near future. Under the terms of the scheme, as agreed with the association, discussions on issues being processed under the scheme are confidential and you will appreciate, therefore, that it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.
