Army border allowance still being paid
Soldiers enlisted at Longford town's Connolly Barracks are still receiving a special border allowance even though it's almost six months since its gates were closed for the last time, the Leader has learned.
The allowance given to a number of its former personnel along with those at Finner Camp in Donegal, Cavan and Dundalk added almost €5.5 million to the Department of Defence's wage bill last year despite the stemming of violence along the border.
About 51 officers and another 1,000 enlisted personnel are still in receipt of the payment despite the closure of four barracks along the border and the relocation of personnel to other stations.
Introduced in 1969, the allowance was sanctioned on foot of reckonings that duty in border posts involved extra responsibility, poor accommodation and disruption to army personnel from their families.
The payment last year came under renewed scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) who recommended its cessation as violence in the North had lessened.
However it appears the allowance is still being paid even with the onset of the peace process, the proposals of the CAG and the closure of border postings.
Last year, the total sum delivered amounted to just over €5.4 million and was slightly up on its 2007 figure of €5.3 million. During the first five months of this year, the cost exceeded the €1.8 million mark.
Under present guidelines, the rate for border duty allowance stands at €117.86 per week for officers and €101.29 per week for enlisted personnel.
The Department of Defence said no new entrants to border units would be eligible for border duty allowance and that a review of the payment was currently being carried out.
"As of the 1st of February 2009 no new entrants to border units are in receipt of Border Duty Allowance. Its continued payment otherwise is under review. Changes in pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces are addressed through the agreed Conciliation and Arbitration process.
"The overall nature of the Defence Force activities in the Border area has changed as the political and security situation has evolved. For example static checkpoints and border patrolling involving the Defence Forces has ceased. The closure of the four barracks in the Border area reflects these changed circumstances.
"...Border Units are obliged to maintain their capacity to respond to the impact of emergencies and contingencies on the border, normally through the provision of assistance to the civil authorities," the statement maintained.
Although under review, the removal of the allowance is expected to be partly offset by through the payment of a Security Duty Allowance.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Thursday 17 May 2012
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