Defence Forces Allowances

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2019

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Questions (83)

Jack Chambers

Question:

83. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will reinstate the 10% UN overseas mission allowance previously awarded to Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21013/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

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, including Overseas Allowances, as part of the cost saving measures to be secured under the agreement. The Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations signed up to this agreement in July 2013.

Defence Forces pay is increasing in accordance with recent 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. The increases due in 2018 and from 1 January 2019 have been paid to Permanent Defence Force personnel. Further increases in pay are scheduled for 2019 and 2020.

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 Public Service Pay Commission is currently examining recruitment and retention issues in the Defence sector. The Commission is due to complete their report in the coming days. The Government will give due consideration to the findings and recommendations that arise from the Commission.