Cuts To Defence Forces Allowances 'Unacceptable'

The organisation which represents soldiers, sailors and aircrew within the Defence Forces has branded as totally unacceptable the decision to review or abolish allowances paid to personnel.

The Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) says it is the only uniformed service not entitled to claim overtime.

The message comes following the news two weeks ago, when the government announced limited cuts in allowances paid to public servants, including members of the Defence Forces.

The cuts were criticised at the time because they were mostly limited to new entrants and did not apply to current employees.

Five allowances to which PDFORRA members are entitled were recommended for abolition, while it was announced that others would be reviewed.

General Secretary of PDFORRA Gerry Rooney was speaking at the annual conference in Kilkenny last night.

He said that allowances to enlisted personnel were introduced in the 1970s to deny service personnel the chance to earn overtime payments.

This, according to Mr Rooney, minimised the cost to the State at times when irregular and long hours were the norm for members of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps.

He claimed that the allowances paid are a proper part of core pay and, on this basis, should not be abolished.

According to PDFORRA, the allowances are protected by guarantees in the Croke Park Agreement.

Mr Rooney said there was no "premium" element to these allowances.

Many of the organisation’s members have already take cuts in salaries of up to 20%. PDFORRA said it will continue to take a very strong stance on this issue.

(IT/GK)