Cost of an Army recruit
The Minister put annual pay at £5,770, with £686 deducted for rations and accommodation and £251 spent on clothing and personal necessities. The Deputy tried to compare recruitment costs with social welfare, but the Chair ruled the comments outside the statistical question; another Deputy urged the Minister to answer.
asked the Minister for Defence the cost to the State of each Army private recruited to the regular Army in a full year.
Comment on this
The current annual pay of an Army recruit is £5,770. Deductions, in respect of rations and accommodation, amounting to £686 per annum are made from pay. The yearly cost of providing clothing and personal necessaries is £251.
Comment on this
Having regard to the cost of recruitment in a given year, would the Minister agree that to pay the person's social welfare for a year could well cost as much as——
Comment on this
Does the Minister agree that it would be as beneficial to the State to recruit a person into the Army as to pay him social welfare?
