A CLAIM by hundreds of soldiers for “decency payments” for helping out communities during bad weather is set to be rejected by the Department of Defence.
The department refused to comment yesterday on the claim lodged by the organisation representing soldiers, PDFORRA, but informed sources said it was highly unlikely that it would be able to afford to meet the claim in the current economic climate.
The association is seeking compensation for its members who were kept on call beyond normal working hours during severe floods in 2009. If successful, the association planned to lodge further claims for those on call during this month’s snow and the cold snap last January.
It argues that the members of the Defence Forces do not receive overtime or shift allowances when they work long or unsocial hours, although there is a system of paying allowances. The organisation is pursuing its claim through the Defence Forces conciliation and arbitration scheme, in which the representatives of the department, the forces and the Department of Finance are involved.
There is no dispute over the allowances payable to soldiers who are deployed to provide help in emergency situations. These amount to €48 a day during the week, rising to €96 on Sunday and bank holidays.
PDFORRA general secretary Gerry Rooney said hundreds of his members were entitled to on-call payments. The association would abide by any decision reached in the process, he said.
A Department of Defence spokeswoman said all discussions under the scheme were confidential and it would be inappropriate to comment on any claim which was under discussion.
A spokesman for the Defence Forces said more than 3,200 soldiers were deployed during the cold snap last January and again in recent weeks.
