Members of Westmeath County Council. At back from left, Cllrs Michael O'Brien, Sorca Clarke, Frankie Keena, Mick Dollard, Tom Farrell, Paddy Hill, John Shaw, Liam McDaniel, Ailish McManus and Paul Hogan, with, in front from left, Cllrs Johnny Penrose, Frank McDermott, Una D'Arcy, John Dolan (cathaoi

‘Outrageous' pay rates for army slated by Cllrs

It is “disgraceful” that members of the Defence Forces have to depend on the Working Family Payment to make end meet, according to local councillors.

Speaking at the April meeting of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Ken Glynn said that he first raised the issue at a council meeting in 2017 and that it is “disgraceful” that the government has failed to improve the pay of soldiers in the intervening two years.

Claiming that Irish soldiers are among the lowest paid in Europe, Cllr Glynn said tat many local members of the Defence Forces have to depend on the Working Family Payment from the Department of Social Protection to top up their pay, which makes it “virtually impossible” for them to get a mortgage.

Cllr Mick Dollard said that through their work with the United Nations over the last 60 years, the members of the Defence Forces are “Ireland's number one ambassadors overseas”.

Westmeath has a strong military tradition and every housing estate in the county has residents who served in the army. It is wrong that many of today's soldiers have to depend on Working Family Payments. he said.

Cllr Bill Collentine said that soldiers' pay is “way too low” and many can’t afford to buy their own home.

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke said that the people of Athlone know first hand the contribution that members of the Defence Forces have made to Irish society. He added that the work local soldiers carried out during the floods of recent years have strengthened the bonds with the people.

Cllr O'Rourke also criticised the “complacent” attitude of the government when it came to improving the pay and conditions of the members of the Defence Forces.

“They have always been on our shoulder when we needed them and they need us to be on their shoulder now,” he said.

Cllr Tom Farrell said that through their work with the United Nations the members of the Defence Forces are “Ireland's greatest ambassadors overseas”.

He also praised them for their “outstanding contribution” during the floods in the Athlone area in recent years.

Cllr Paul Hogan said that due to the government's failure to address the issues relating the remuneration, retention and recruitment, the Defence Forces have been “haemorrhaging” members for a number of years.

Cathaoirleach Cllr John Dolan said that soldiers are leaving the armed forces in large numbers due to the poor pay and conditions. Until there is a significant improvement in their income and conditions, the defence forces will continue to lose members and struggle to attract new recruits, he warned.