Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019
12. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to ensure better pay and working conditions for members of the Defence Forces; the steps being taken to ensure appropriate supports are available to current and former members who may be experiencing financial difficulties; if he has satisfied himself that current recruitment methods are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1806/19]
View answer23. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the stages for the restoration of allowances, pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces; and the timeframe for restoration. [1855/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 23 together.
Similar to other sectors in the public service, the pay of Permanent Defence Force personnel was reduced as one of the measures to assist in stabilising national finances during the financial crisis.
Pay is being restored to members of the Defence Forces and other public servants 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 for general service recruits and privates, who joined the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 2013, were implemented.
The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, which has been accepted by the Permanent Defence Force representative associations, provides for increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay. The increases due from 1 January 2018, 1 October 2018 and 1 January 2019 have been paid to Permanent Defence Force personnel. Further increases in pay are scheduled in 2019 and 2020.
By the end of the current Public Service Pay agreement the payscales 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 as part of that agreement.
New entrants who joined the Defence Forces since 2011, can also benefit from the measures which were recently announced in relation to interventions at points 4 and 8 of the relevant pay scales for all such new entrants to the public service. This measure, should it be accepted by the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, will be effective from 1 March 2019.
There are many factors and personal circumstances which can give rise to an individual needing support and advice in respect of particular financial difficulties. The Personnel Support Service provides a confidential information, education, support and referral service to Defence Forces personnel and their families, giving access to information and services within and outside the military community.
Like other military organisations, turnover of personnel is higher than that which normally prevails in other sectors. In this context, there is ongoing recruitment and promotion to replace personnel who depart.
The Public Service Pay Commission is currently examining recruitment and retention issues in the Defence sector. This is on foot of an initial submission from the Department which highlighted certain recruitment and retention issues. The Commission's work is on-going. The Government will give due consideration to the findings and recommendations that arise from the work of the Commission.
