One in five Irish Defence Forces staff are claiming Family Income Support to make ends meet, it has been claimed.
The group representing rank and file members, PDFORRA, has been voicing concerns about the cuts they have endured in recent years.
It has also claimed that a number of soldiers are sleeping in their cars outside army barracks because they cannot afford to drive home.
The closure of a number of barracks around the country has added to difficulties, with some members reportedly facing round trips of up to 300 kilometres after they were relocated.