Garda Commissioner to outline allowances stance

The Garda Commissioner will reveal to the Public Accounts Committee today which garda allowances, if any, the force is willing to give up.

There are currently 108 allowances paid to members of the force but just 11 have been identified for withdrawal.

Those up for negotiation include contributions towards rent, a bicycle allowance and an allowance paid to those whose regular hours prevent them from earning extra, by doing overtime.

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee John McGuinness says many of these allowances are outdated.

"All of these things were introduced in days when allowances meant something completely different and perhaps formed a solution to an overall problem. As a result of that they have now become dated.

"They have been part and parcel of the salary scale since their introduction, now forming part of core pay."