Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Defence the position in relation to the recent submission by PDFORRA seeking an increase in overseas allowance; if this will be granted; from when it will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38151/06]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount of overseas allowance granted for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38154/06]

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Defence the current level of overseas allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38153/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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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.