Increase in Patrol Duty Allowance for the Naval Service

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Mícheál Martin TD announced that the Patrol Duty Allowance paid to Naval Service personnel will be doubled after ten days at sea.

This measure will take effect from 1 January 2024.

Announcing the measure, the Tánaiste said, \”I very much welcome this new measure, which provides greater clarity on the overall package available to our Naval Service personnel and potential recruits.\”

\”The challenges facing the Naval Service and the wider organisation are well documented, but the commitment, courage and excellence of our serving members is clear, as recently demonstrated in the recent detention of the cargo vessel MV Matthew. This is part of our ongoing investment in our Defence Forces; in its people, infrastructure, capabilities and culture.\”

The changes will simplify the existing Naval Service measures by consolidating the daily allowance and the sea-going commitment scheme into one allowance. This is in line with the Commission on Defence Forces recommendation to replace existing sea-going allowances with less complex measures.

Separately, the Tánaiste has welcomed the inclusion of the naval personnel tax credit in the Finance Bill for 2024 for one further year, as a further retention measure.

He also expressed his thanks to his colleague, Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform, Paschal Donohue TD, and to officials in his Department for their assistance in progressing this measure.