John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the 24-hour duty allowance rate for a soldier; when the allowance rate was set; his plans to review the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27991/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Security Duty allowance was introduced in May 1974, arising from the significant increase in the incidence of duties being undertaken by members of the Defence Forces, particularly duties in aid to the civil power. This is paid in addition to basic pay and military service allowance.

The rate of Security Duty allowance for 24 hours or more is €47.59. The rates were last revised under the Public Service Stability Agreement, 2013-2016, (the Haddington Road Agreement) in 2013, when it was agreed, with the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, that as part of the cost saving measures to be secured under the Agreement, the Saturday and Sunday duty rates would be flat rated.

PDFORRA have made a claim for the restoration of the Saturday and Sunday rates to pre-2013 levels. This claim is being processed through the Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The Deputy will appreciate that as discussions under the C&A scheme are confidential to the parties involved it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.