Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:31. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to increase pay for the Defence Forces in budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36673/18]
View answerFriday, 7 September 2018
Questions (31, 36)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:36. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the level of reduction to each of the allowances in the Defence Forces since 2008; if these cuts are part of FEMPI legislation; the provision for restoration of the cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36679/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 36 together.
Amongst other pay adjustments, the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009, provided for a 5% reduction in fixed rate allowances payable to public servants in receipt of basic pay not exceeding €125,000. In this regard, certain Defence Forces allowances were reduced by 5% with effect from 1 January 2010.
In accordance with the Public Service Stability Agreement, 2013-2016, (the Haddington Road Agreement), all sectors across the public service were required to contribute to additional pay and productivity measures. Other sectors delivered these savings through a variety of approaches including additional working time and reduced rates of overtime payments.
The contribution from the Defence sector included a further reduction of 10% on the rate of certain allowances payable to the Defence Forces. As part of the cost saving measures to be secured under the agreement, it was also agreed with the Representative Associations that the Saturday and Sunday rates for Security Duty Allowance would be flat rated.
Defence Forces pay is increasing in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, which was considered and accepted by the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, provides for further increases in pay, ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement, with the focus of the agreement once again being on the lower paid. An increase of 1% due from 1 January 2018 has been paid to Permanent Defence Force personnel and a second increase is due to be applied from 1 October 2018.
In 2019, a 1% increase is due to be paid from 1 January for all those on annualised salaries up to €30,000. A further 1.75% increase in annualised salaries is due for all public servants (including Defence Forces personnel) from 1 September 2019.
By the end of the agreement (end 2020), the pay scales of all public servants encompassed by the Agreement, (including members of the Permanent Defence Force), earning up to €70,000, will be restored to pre-FEMPI levels. The restoration of the 5% reduction to allowances is also scheduled in the agreement.