Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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14. To ask the Minister for Defence if he attended the recent PDFORRA conference; his response to concerns expressed at same regarding the standard of living of members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43290/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I was made aware of a number of issues for the first time at the recent PDFORRA annual conference. I presume the Deputy is referring to the claim that five members of the PDF were sleeping in cars because they could not afford the cost of commuting to their place of work, and claims that approximately 20% of PDFORRA’s membership are availing of Family Income Supplement. There is no reason why any member of the PDF should be sleeping in their car. I am advised that military management wrote to the General Secretary of PDFORRA requesting information to facilitate the chain of command addressing any legitimate concerns of PDFORRA. I understand that a response has been received from PDFORRA and that individual issues raised within it are now being appropriately addressed through the normal operational chain of command.

PDFORRA also asserted that approximately 20% of their membership is availing of Family Income Supplement, qualifying for it because their take home pay had fallen owing to various Public Service Agreements and statutory deductions. As the circumstances surrounding an application for Family Income Supplement are a private matter between the applicant and the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Defence is not aware of the number of PDF members that may be in receipt of this financial assistance, or their individual circumstances.