Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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102. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated full-year cost of restoring the Defence Forces annual instructors allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26603/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Non-commissioned officers who are filling appointments in the Establishment for Instructors in the Military College, Training Depots, Corps Depots and Schools and in the Observer Corps are paid an allowance at the weekly rate of €23.28 or €24.50 depending on personal pension contributions payable by the individual. This continues to be paid for duties performed.

In accordance with the Public Service Stability Agreement, 2013-2016, (the Haddington Road Agreement), all sectors across the public service were required to contribute to additional pay and productivity measures. Other sectors delivered these savings through a variety of approaches including additional working time and reduced rates of overtime payments.

As part of the cost saving measures to be secured in the Defence sector under the agreement, it was agreed with the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) that payment of Special Instructors Allowance to Officers of the Permanent Defence Force would cease. The individuals who were in receipt of the allowance at that time were compensated in agreement with the representative association.

There are no plans to reinstate the allowance and in this regard the cost of restoring the allowance has not been computed.