Cutbacks put officers under financial pressure

Some army officers with young children may be forced to seek Family Income Supplement because they can’t afford to travel to new postings due to the disbanding of a brigade.

RACO (Representative Association of Commissioned Officers), the association which represents the Defence Forces’ 1,200-plus officers, says the disbandment of the 4th Western Brigade means some of its former members have to pay up to €500 extra a month to commute to postings with the remaining two brigades in the south and east of the country.

Around 40 officers face lengthy commutes — some travelling from Donegal to Rathmines.