asked the Minister for Defence if he will extend recent pay increases to Army apprentices and recruits.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pay Increases.
31.
In May 1981 the pay of all ranks of the Defence Forces from Private, two-star, up to and including Commandant was increased with effect from 1 September 1980 in line with an arbitration award to executive grades in the civil service.
The pay of all ranks, including Privates, Grades I and II, was subsequently increased by 7 per cent from 1 June 1981 in accordance with the terms of the second phase of the national understanding.
The current rate of pay of Army and Air Corps apprentices ranges from £76.60 or £86.73 a week, depending on age, for a first-year apprentice — Private, Grade II or Grade I — to £106.36 or £114.83 for a fourth-year apprentice — Private, two-star. The pay of a recruit — Private, Grade I — is £86.73 and, on being advanced to Private, two-star, which normally occurs within about three months of enlistment, his basic weekly earnings rise to £101.47.
Would the Minister not agree that, while it is understandable that those above the rank of Commandant would not get an increase, it is unfortunate that those on the lowest rung did not get the increase enjoyed by other ranks?
Apprentices, including recruits who join as Privates before they go to two-star, are paid on a scale ranging from £76.60 to £86.73 per week and this compares more than favourably with the pay of apprentices of the same grade in the ESB at £32.85 per week, the Office of Public Works at £32.43, CIE at £29.29 or Dublin Corporation at £32.43. It is felt that there is not a case for an increase in the rate for apprentices at the starting grade.
A review body should be set up to examine military pay in view of increases in other EEC countries. Our Army should be paid an equivalent rate. Would the Minister agree that such a review body should be set up?
Army rates of pay here are related to the pay of civilians and not of armies in other countries. Such a review body would serve no useful purpose.