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Defence Forces Remuneration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 September 2018

Thursday, 27 September 2018

Questions (55)

Willie Penrose

Question:

55. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the review into pay and allowances for members of the Permanent Defence Force; if allowances which were previously paid will be fully restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39279/18]

View answer

Written answers

Defence Forces pay is increasing in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay. Members of the Permanent Defence Force have received the pay increases due under the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

In addition in 2017, following negotiations with PDFORRA improved pay scales were implemented for general service recruits and privates, who joined the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 2013.

The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 provides for increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement. The first increase 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. Further increases are scheduled for 2019 and 2020.

By the end of the current Public Service Pay agreement (end 2020), the pay of all public servants (including members of the Defence Forces), earning under €70,000 per annum, will be restored to pre FEMPI levels. The restoration of the 5% reduction to allowances cut under FEMPI is also scheduled in the agreement.

New entrants to the Defence Forces will also benefit from the measures which were recently announced in relation to amendments to the pay scales for new entrant public servants recruited since January 2011.

The Public Service Pay Commission was established to provide objective advice to Government in relation to Public Service remuneration policy. In 2017, under my direction, the Department of Defence brought issues of recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces to the attention of the Public Sector Pay Commission (PSPC). As a direct result of that initiative the PSPC is conducting an in-depth evidence based examination of those issues.

The Department of Defence has provided data as requested by the PSPC for consideration. The Commission's work is on-going. The Department of Defence will continue to engage with the Public Service Pay Commission throughout the process and will give due consideration to the findings and recommendations that arises from the work of the Commission.

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