Soldiers sleep in cars outside barracks because they can’t afford to drive home

Soldiers are sleeping in their cars outside army barracks because they can no longer afford to drive home to their families.

PDForra, the group which represents more than 6,800 rank-and-file members of the Defence Forces, said it is a symptom of the cuts members have endured in the past five years.

The situation has become more desperate for soldiers following the closure of a number of barracks. Some are facing round trips of up to 300km after being relocated to other barracks.

Several are having to dig into their pockets to afford the daily commute. Others have chosen to sleep in their cars, only returning to their families at the weekend.

Gerard Guinan, the organisation’s deputy general secretary, said 20% of the Defence Forces are claiming Family Income Support to make ends meet.

“Loyal, dedicated, professional soldiers should not be reliant on the Department of Social Protection to supplement their pay in order for them to enjoy the very basic standard of living,” he said.

A private entering the Defence Forces on apprenticeship is being paid €244.86 a week, which is just €60 more than the maximum jobseeker’s payment.

Defence Forces members have to regularly carry out 24-hour “guard duties”. They get an additional allowance for this, which works out at 95c per hour after tax.

More soldiers, airmen, and sailors than ever before are seeking loans from the Defence Forces’ Credit Union to get them out of financial trouble.

For some, it is too late. They have already had their houses repossessed. This has been the case for some chief petty officers and company sergeants.

“The cumulative effect of poor pay and increased workload demands are serving to undermine the moral of our proud members of the Defence Forces,” Mr Guinan said.

The group said it is time the Government paid back the loyalty shown by the Defence Forces by increasing their wages.

This call will be high up the agenda on day two of PDForra’s three-day annual conference, which kicked off in Sligo yesterday.

The 130 delegates, who represent the Army, Navy and Air Corps, will also discuss health and safety issues and the asbestos crisis which has led to two ships being out of commission since May 28.

PDForra will also seek to have itself given full trade union status.