Personnel in the Naval Service who signed up for a special loyalty bonus to ensure there were enough crews to undertake sea patrols are still waiting to be paid the first tranche of the money, “which is now months overdue.”

The Sea Service Commitment Scheme was introduced to much fanfare last January by Minister for Defence Simon Coveney in an effort to provide some certainty about adequate numbers of personnel being available for offshore patrols. It was introduced because of the lack of adequate crew numbers in general, and specialists in particular.

The Naval Service has been dogged by personnel shortages in recent years. This has led to two ships being tied up and others delayed going out to sea on patrols because they don't have full crews.

The loyalty payment of €10,000, which is taxable, was offered to those who signed up to complete two years duty at sea. This was supposed to be paid in four six-monthly tranches.

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