Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Defence the cost of aid to civil power, aid to civil authority and non-emergency services in the years 2002 to 2009 inclusive; the full economic cost annually had it been charged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34754/09]

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the recommendation in the Report of the Special Group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes that the full economic cost of aid to the civil power, aid to the civil authority and non-emergency services provided by the Defence Forces be charged to the relevant agency; if it is intended to implement this recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34789/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 28 and 42 together.

The assistance provided by the Defence Forces to both the civil power and civil authorities is wide and varied. The actual costs of all services provided have not been recorded separately to date. The compilation of such material on a retrospective basis would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work. Costs are recovered for services provided by the Defence Forces where there are existing agreements and arrangements between the parties.

Following a detailed formal agreement with the Irish Bankers Federation, which was signed on 11 May 2005, the banks pay the total actual costs incurred by the Defence Forces in the provision of cash escorts. The total cost in respect of the provision by the Defence Forces of assistance to the Garda Síochána in protecting movements of cash for the years 2002 to 2009 is as follows:

The banks are charged for their proportion of the total escorts provided i.e. approx. 78%. The remainder relates to post office escorts which are not subject to charge as they come under State expenditure. Costs in respect of each 12 month period to end-December, are paid the following year on or before the 1 June. This is to allow for the compilation of returns from the brigades and allocation of costs following the year-end. The exact figures and total cost of the service for 2009 will not be available until Spring 2010.

Costs have also been recouped from civil authorities where the Defence Forces have in their role as aid to the civil authority provided assistance in the maintenance of essential services during industrial disputes. The total costs are as follows:

The Defence Forces have not been required to provide assistance in this manner since 2004.

Consideration of the recommendations arising from the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes, and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.