‘No border duties’ but allowance to cost State €4m this year

Defence Minister Alan Shatter has confirmed there are more than 800 soldiers in receipt of a border allowance that will cost the State €4m this year.

He said 33 officers currently received a weekly border allowance of €111.97, and 796 enlisted personnel received €96.23 per week, along with their usual earnings.

The State continues to pay the allowance — which gives an additional €5,822 to officers on an annual basis and €5,000 annually to enlisted personnel — in spite of the sharply reduced threat of subversive violence.