Naval Service crew are to see their allowance payment doubled as the Government has announced such payments will take effect, but only after ten days are spent at sea, reports RTE News.

Currently, the Patrol Duty Allowance (PDA) is paid at just over €64 per day to all crew, but as of 1 January, 2024, the allowance will be increased to over €128 per day after an initial ten days are conducted on voyage patrol duties.

Announcing the measure, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence said: “I very much welcome this new measure, which provides greater clarity on the overall package available to our Naval Service personnel and potential recruits."

“The challenges facing the Naval Service and the wider organisation are well documented, but the commitment, courage and excellence of our serving members is clear, as recently demonstrated in the recent detention of the cargo vessel MV Matthew."

“This is part of our ongoing investment in our Defence Forces; in its people, infrastructure, capabilities and culture.”

Introduction of next year’s measures, it is hoped will help to reduce the crewing crisis of recent years in the Naval Service and make the job more attractive in recruiting new personnel.

In addition to the doubling of the PDA, in turn this to boost the ability of the Naval Service to have all of its ships, Afloat adds with exception of Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) due in service next year, rather than having the majority of them in dock, as is currently the case because of a lack of crew.

RTE News has more here.

Only two vessels, Afloat highlights are operational for the remainder of this year, the offshore patrol vessels (OPV) of the P60 class, the leadship LÉ Samuel Beckett (P61) and LÉ William Butler Yeats (P63).