Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Defence the percentage of the normal annual leave allowance for each category lost by senior officers and enlisted personnel respectively on foot of serving overseas for a six month tour of duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22085/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The annual leave entitlements for members of the Defence Forces are as follows:

These annual leave entitlements are reduced by a set amount while the member of the Defence Forces is on an overseas tour of duty. The reduction is 3.5 days per month for senior officers, 2.5 days per month for junior officers and 1 day per month for enlisted personnel.

It should be noted that special leave with pay and allowances is normally granted to all ranks on return from service outside the State with an International United Nations Force. This is granted on the basis of 6 days in respect of each calendar month of external service from the first day of the month in which the period of external service commenced to the first day of the month on which the period of external service ceased. This is subject to a maximum of 30 days in respect of the period of external service involved.

In addition, Defence Forces personnel serving overseas may avail of annual leave during their deployment overseas subject to the operational requirements of the mission.

A claim has been received from the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) that no officer should be at a loss of annual leave as a result of overseas service. 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.