Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The United Nations reimburses some personnel and Contingent Owed Equipment costs in respect of contributions to UN led operations. Rates of reimbursement, fixed in accordance with UN categories of equipment and personnel, are agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the UN for each mission. The only missions for which Ireland is currently entitled to reimbursement of some troop and equipment costs are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights. The timing of the receipt of reimbursements is dependent on the financial situation at the UN. Reimbursements are received in arrears.

A standard UN rate of reimbursement of $1,428 (€1262) per month is paid to troop contributing countries in respect of each member of a military unit deployed to a United Nation field mission. This reimbursement represents a contribution by the UN towards troop sustainment costs incurred by the member States including, for example, the provision of food, lodging, medical support, communications, ordnance, and other goods and services and is paid directly to Governments in respect of deployed personnel.

While deployed on such operations, personnel are paid a daily Unarmed or Armed Peace Support Allowance depending on the nature of the mission. Unarmed Peace Support Allowance ranges from €55.14 to €79.51 per day depending on rank, equivalent to about €1,677 to €2,418 per month. For personnel in receipt of Armed Peace Support Allowance, the daily rates range from €76.36 to €101.75, equivalent to about €2,322 to €3,094 per month. Both unarmed and armed peace support allowance are non taxable.

In addition, while serving on a UN peacekeeping mission, the UN also facilities the payment directly to personnel of a daily allowance of $1.28 plus a recreational leave allowance of $10.50 per day for up to 15 days of leave taken during each six-month period.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The leave that may be granted to Defence Forces personnel when on service outside the State with an International United Nations Force, is subject to the UN regulation governing that Force. As such, different annual leave arrangements apply to different mission areas, depending on specific mission Standard Operating Procedures.  Considerations such as security and operational and logistical concerns that pertain to that mission area and surrounding territories are taken into account.

Defence Forces personnel are not obliged to take mission leave in Ireland.  The cost of returning to Ireland or travelling to another destination while on leave, is borne by the individual, except for specific instances when personnel are granted special leave.  Deployed personnel who avail of special leave during their deployment may have their flights home paid at national expense. Applications for special leave can include, travel on compassionate grounds - e.g. bereavement, exceptional domestic circumstances - travel for work-related purposes such as attendance at meetings and briefings or travel for mission related purposes. 

While deployed on overseas operations, personnel are paid a daily Unarmed or Armed Peace Support Allowance depending on the nature of the mission.  Unarmed Peace Support Allowance ranges from €55.14 to  €79.51 per day depending on rank, equivalent to about €1,677 to €2,418 per month.  For personnel in receipt of Armed Peace Support Allowance, the daily rates range from €76.36 to €101.75, equivalent to about €2,322 to €3,094 per month.  Both unarmed and armed peace support allowance are non taxable and are paid for the duration of the overseas deployment including periods of leave.  In addition, while serving on a UN peacekeeping mission, the UN also facilities the payment directly to personnel of a daily allowance of $1.28 plus a recreational leave allowance of $10.50 per day for up to 15 days of leave taken during each six-month period.