asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the FCA who reported for annual training in 1978 and the level of gratuity now paid to such members.

Thirteen thousand, one hundred and forty members of An Fóras Cosanta Áitiúil reported for annual training in 1978. Gratuities are currently payable to such members as follows:

These gratuities are additional to the normal pay and allowances granted to such members during periods of full-time training.

In the case of officers holding senior appointments, the pay for a period of 14 days' annual training would be between £230 and £284 depending on rank and service. The pay of other officers for a similar period would be from £165 to £260. Non-commissioned officers and privates would receive from £147.76 to £209.10 and from £123 to £141.42 respectively in respect of a similar period.

In fairness to the members of the FCA would the Minister agree that the latter rates he quoted were the ordinary pay equivalent to the rank of the person while he was doing his full-time training and that the gratuity, while it is payable at the end of the 14 days, is related to the other 50 weeks of the year when the member is getting nothing at all for his work? Bearing that in mind has the Minister any proposal to update the level of gratuity payable to members of the FCA?

The Deputy's question did not relate to increases in the gratuities but he will be happy to know that the amounts of gratuities which I have given here are amounts which I increased some time ago. These gratuities had not been increased for several years before that.

When did the Minister increase them?

I can give the Deputy specific answers on that if he puts down specific questions.