A leaked report says that a person with a number of previous convictions was recruited to the Defence Forces in an Irish training camp.
The report says there were a 'number of recruits totally unsuited to do the job'.
Also the report revealed that 'a number of recruits had severe learning difficulties that inhibited them from competing the course.'
Speaking to KildareNow, Sarah Walshe, married to a Defence Forces member, serving for over 20 years, says new recruits and those who joined on post 1990s contracts are on very poor pay.
She said: "There is a high rate of people not finishing their training. Members are not surprised at this report. They are feeling the pull of not having enough people to do the jobs."
Ms Walshe is expressing outrage with the Defence Forces ranking as 6th Best Place to Work in Ireland with low pay and only €20 extra for 24-hour duty are being cited as the main complaints.
Ms Walshe said: "The money is crap, they can't get a mortgage. They are getting more money for doing security jobs. Some people are now down €180 a week as all their increments are being cut."
Also finding accommodation is a major issue for Defence Forces members, who while in receipt of Housing Assistance Paayment, are being refused by many landlords.
She said: "A lot of landlords will not take HAP."
Meanwhile, a protest march is taking place this September 19, next, in Dublin, to highlight the issues with pay and conditions.
According to the Department of Defence statement: “The starting pay for a newly qualified three star private, and their Naval Service equivalent, (inclusive of military service allowance) is now €27,257, gross annual earnings, with scope for further income from duty allowances. This is a significant increase on the €21,800 per annum which was the annual amount prior to the implementation of the increases in pay received through recent pay agreements. The starting pay for a Corporal, including Military Service Allowance, is over €37,000 per annum. The first point on the payscale for a Sergeant, including Military Service Allowance, is €40,000 per annum.”
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