Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to increase overseas allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32336/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Since 1958, the Defence Forces has had a continuous and distinguished presence on peacekeeping duties throughout the world and are currently contributing 677 personnel to 19 different missions.

The main commitments are to the United Nations Mission to Liberia (UNMIL), to the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo and to EUFOR, the EU-led operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Staff are also deployed at the organisational headquarters of the UN, EU, OSCE, and NATO.

Last week the Government approved my proposals for the despatch of a contingent of the Defence Forces to Lebanon as part of a joint Finnish/Irish Unit to UNIFIL 2. While the final details are being worked out it is expected that the Irish contingent will comprise approximately 150 personnel.

When visiting Irish troops serving in Liberia and the Balkans I saw at first hand the dedication and professionalism of military personnel in bringing comfort and hope to those who are less fortunate than us. I want to again express my appreciation and that of the Government for the tremendous work being done by the Defence Forces on the international stage in the cause of peace.

The current rate of Overseas Peace Support Allowance (OPSA) payable to enlisted personnel serving overseas ranges from €52.86 to €56.62 per day. In addition to this, an Overseas Armed Peace Support Allowance (OAPSA) of €21.36 per day is payable for certain missions. When addressing the Annual Delegate Conference of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) in Waterford last week, I stated that should the Association wish to submit a claim for an increase in these allowances, such a claim would receive sympathetic consideration. Any such claim would, of course, have to be processed through the normal conciliation and arbitration channels and would have to meet the conditions required by the new Public Service Pay Agreement-Towards 2016.