PAC has positive engagement with Department of Defence on allowances

Chairman of the Committee John McGuinness, TD, said: “Our meeting today was an opportunity to discuss with various parties the system of allowances paid within the Department of Defence. It was a useful and positive exchange which helped to demystify the structure of allowances and identify what is part of core pay for Defence Forces personnel.

The system of allowances paid to the public service is often complicated and has been built up over many years. Meetings such as the one we had today are useful in simplifying and explaining the history and rational behind their existence.

The meeting underlines the valuable role that the Public Accounts Committee is playing in the review of allowances and will be positive and influential in the final decisions made on allowances.”

As part of the continuing review process, the Committee will hold the following meetings:

• Tuesday 23rd October:

Review of political allowances with the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Review of civil service allowances with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

• Wednesday 24th October:

Review of allowances with the Department of Education and Skills

• Thursday 25th October

Review of allowances with the Department of Justice and Equality

Ends

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

Committee of Public Accounts

Membership

John McGuinness (Chairman)
Kieran O’Donnell (Vice Chairman)
Paul J Connaughton,
John Deasy,
Paschal Donohoe,
Gerald Nash,
Simon Harris,
Michael McCarthy,
Mary Lou McDonald,
Sean Fleming,
Eoghan Murphy,
Derek Nolan,
Shane Ross