Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2024
98. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the work of designing a review mechanism regarding the pay and allowance structures of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19713/24]
View answerIn accordance with commitments given in the Programme for Government, an independent Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) was established by Government in December 2020.
The CoDF report, published on 9 February 2022, recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, human resources, the Reserve Defence Force, as well as funding of same.
The Commission on the Defence Forces was further tasked with examining the evolution of all remuneration systems and structures, currently in place in the Defence Forces, noting that the current Programme for Government recommends the establishment of a Permanent Pay Review Body.
In its report to Government, the CoDF recommended the "introduction of a mechanism to provide for ongoing review of of the application of existing specialist pay rates and allowances to groups and categories of military personnel, and to make recommendations, within public pay policy parameters, where adjustments are required" .
It is important to note, in the context of this CoDF recommendation, that public sector pay policy falls within the remit of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
The Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026 Agreement, which was recently ratified by the ICTU, including the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, sets out the agreed pay policy parameters for the public service.
The Department of Defence is currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan and Reform in relation to this recommendation.
