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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 3

Written Answers. - Benchmarking Awards.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

24 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if money has been provided in his Department's Estimates for 2004 for the payment of benchmarking awards to all members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29440/03]

The current position is that both representative associations, RACO and PDFORRA, have balloted their members on how the recommendations of the benchmarking body can be implemented in the Defence Forces in the context of Sustaining Progress. A majority in each association has voted in favour of acceptance of the terms of the agreement.

Payment of 25% of the benchmarking awards, granted to basic pay and allowances and backdated to 1 December 2001, will be paid to serving Defence Forces personnel and to Defence Forces pensioners before the end of this year.

An amount of €18.3 million has been included in the 2004 Defence Estimates to cover the cost of the benchmarking increases due in 2004 as well as the cost of the general round increases agreed in Sustaining Progress.

It should be noted, however, that payment of the final two phases of the benchmarking increases, 75%, and the general round increases agreed in Sustaining Progress are dependent, in the case of each sector, organisation and grade, on verification of satisfactory achievement of the provisions set out in Sustaining Progress, on co-operation with flexibility and ongoing change; satisfactory implementation of the agenda for modernisation and the maintenance of stable industrial relations and absence of industrial action in respect of any matters covered by Sustaining Progress.

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