Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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140. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason for the delayed Air Corps members' duty and ration payment issuing on time for the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24476/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The process for the payment of Security Duty Allowances is that all approved claims are downloaded electronically from the Defence Forces Personnel Management System on the 10th of each month (or closest working day) in respect of the previous four weeks and sent to the Department’s Finance Branch from where they are immediately forwarded electronically to the Department’s payroll provider – the National Shared Services Office - for payment in the next available payroll. (Payrolls are prepared in advance). In May 2018, over 16,000 claims were processed from all units including the Air Corps for some 4,200 members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF).

My Department has not been made aware of any recent late payments of duties that have been approved by the Air Corps but if the Deputy can forward any details I will have the matter examined further.

In relation to the late payment of ration refunds to personnel in the Air Corps, claims in respect of 97 personnel were submitted to my Department in February and March last which were due to be paid on 4th April. However, on examination of the claims a number of issues arose in relation to the entitlement of certain personnel to the refund and the verification of certain administrative details. These issues have now been addressed and 30 personnel who are entitled to a refund are due to be paid on 13th June 2018. Claims which were submitted in April and May have been processed and will also be paid on the 13th June 2018.