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SOME NAVY OFFICERS involved in rescuing refugees from the Mediterranean are on the minimum wage, according to TD Mick Barry.
The AAA-PBP TD said members of the Defence Forces had contacted him after he raised their conditions in the Dail last week. Some were forced to rely on family income supplement for their wages, while others spoke of problems being able to afford rent.
Barry asked Taoiseach Enda Kenny today if the Defence Forces will be allowed to access the State’s industrial relations machinery in the same way as gardaí have been permitted.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he had “no intention” of allowing it, stating that access to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court was made available to the gardaí on an “ad hoc basis”.
Since first raising the issue last week in the Dáil, the Cork North Central TD said he has been inundated with representations from members of the Defence Forces.
“My office received a flood of responses from soldiers as well as naval and Air Corps personnel who told me in confidence of the wretched and illegal working conditions they are forced into.
“They feel an unjustifiable advantage is being taken of armed forces personnel by the government.”
Pay conditions
Barry told TheJournal.ie it was illegal for members of the Defence Forces to make public representations to TDs about their pay conditions.
The representations sent to Barry outline a number of issues members of the Defence Forces are unhappy with, including pay conditions, with some navy officers tasked with rescuing migrants from the Mediterranean earning less than the minimum wage.
Barry said a large proportion of soldiers are also on family income support.
He added that the two-tiered system found in the teaching and nursing sector is also present in the Defence Forces, with new entrants post 2013 earning just over €21,ooo.
Other issues raised include the travel costs associated with travelling to visit their families following the closure of army barracks, as well as breaches of the Organisation of Working Hours Act.
A case is being taken to the European Committee of Social Rights by the armed forces’ organisations – PDFORRA and RACO – seeking more rights.
Barry criticised the Minister of State with special responsibility for Defence Paul Keogh for stating in the Dáil last week that any soldier with grievances can approach him.
“How could he believe a new officer could approach the minister on his visit to the barracks when he is flanked by senior army officials on either side,” he said.
Pressure is now mounting on the government to deal with the cascade of pay demands from the public sector workers. Another public sector group – such as the army – being added to their list would not be welcome.
By refusing the Defence Forces to the same access as the gardaí to the Labour Court and WRC, Barry said the government were sending the signal that unions within the Defence Forces would also have to take “imaginative” action on behalf of their members.
“There is widespread discomfort within all ranks of the Defence Forces at being taken for granted,” said Barry.
If you are a member of the Defence Forces and would like to share your story about your working conditions in service, please email christinafinn@thejournal.ie in confidence.
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Too much paperwork. This only adds to the burnout that many child protection workers face. The job of a social worker has become too administrative and less front line
@Alison Maguire: Do you think its the front line(visiting dysfunctional homes were there’s child abuse) or the admin element that causes turnover in staff ……
@Murr Paul: the frontline also deal with a lot of admin
I believe there is room for all, please note that some of the private agencies are social enterprises that re-investing the children in their care.
As a country though we need to really start investing in support of vulnerable families from pregnancy, good preschools good family support. Our legislation also needs a complete overhaul with a much stronger emphasis on what’s in a child’s best interest not the parents. A child in foster care can at any time be returned to the birth parents, how can a child fully commit to a new family if they are aware of this.
@Anne Kearney: A child in foster care can at any time be returned to the birth parents, how can a child fully commit to a new family if they are aware of this.
A child will always want to return to their parents as when turned 18 kick out by foster families regardless.
@Murr Paul: a significant number of foster carers would and do keep the child in their care after the age of 18. I feel some of the issue is the after care work that goes on from 15 or 16 preparing for independence can instill a fear in the child so there is increased acting out that causes the placement to break down. I reject you before you reject me. A lot of children during access are told that they can go home also the foster carers in their own eyes is only temporary. We need to be able to make a home more permanent for some children and carers.
Why do they try and privatise everything???
Never has a good outcome
In no way am I comparing a Child to a dog here but look what’s happened with privatization re Ashton Dog Pound. Neglect, Abuse, and power pulling where everyone in Dublin is in fear of calling for the dog warden.
@Margaret Doyle: You don’t want to compare the two, and yet you do.
€325 not much to cover all the costs involved with children who have been neglected. The government trying to do all the really important stuff on the Cheap again.
@Alan Kelly: what costs do they have more then any other child? They also receive child benefit, social welfare CDA increases etc. I know cases were they claimed the foster children were disabled to get carers allowance, care grant and domicile care allowance all untaxed. A right little money earner.
@Murr Paul: you cannot just CLAIM someone is disabled!!
Do you know the trauma these kids have been through? Do you know the time that goes into making sure all the needs of these kids at met?
@Murr Paul: would you work 24/7 for 1.93 euro an hour and take the child’s expenses out of that too.
@Murr Paul: What is wrong with you? The state is neglecting and allowing lifelong damage to occur to children. They are pouring money into private companies and you point to a baseless, imaginary problem of welfare fraud. Do you think that so you can feel better or are you just bitter or thick or both?
@Alan Kelly: Making foster caring financially too appetizing is far too dangerous. It attracts the worst of people, to the detriment of these especially vulnerable children. Of course low income families with the right intentions shouldn’t be excluded from fostering simply because they can’t afford it. But that’s why the system allows for specific expenses for the particular foster child in question (with receipts and review process with regards to expenses etc). But just a nice lump sum lodged into your account with no questions asked every month will end up attracting too much interest for all the wrong reasons.
The cost factor here must be quantified, the cost given of €1,000 in a private placement includes other support. It includes the cost of social work support available 24 hours a day 7 days a week not currently provided by Tusla. The private fostering agencies also provide support services such as educational supports child care workers etc.
The private agencies also may be asked to locate careers for children with a complex level of care needs.
have your say