I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 31 and 69 together.
A claim has been received from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) for an increase in overseas allowance. This claim will be processed through the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Permanent Defence Force. By agreement with the Association, discussions under the Scheme are confidential to the parties involved. Accordingly, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this issue at this time, other than to say that the claim will have to meet the conditions required by the new Public Service Pay Agreement – Towards 2016.
The amounts paid by way of all overseas allowances from 2004 to the end of October 2006 were:
2004 — €17.8m
2005 — €22.1m
2006 — €17.7m (to end Oct).
The current daily rates of Overseas Peace Support Allowance (OPSA) range from – €52.86 for Privates to €76.22 for Commandants and higher.
An additional daily allowance of €21.36 for enlisted personnel and €22.39 for officers is, also, paid in respect of armed missions.
The Deputy may wish to note that the above rates are included in Rates of Pay and Allowances for the Defence Forces, which are available on www.defence.ie.