Róisín Shortall
Question:85. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the action he is taking to address the low levels of pay in the Defence Forces. [21112/19]
View answerWednesday, 15 May 2019
Questions (85)
Written answers
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.
The recovery in the economy has provided the fiscal resources to allow for an affordable and sustainable recovery in the public service pay scales.
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, provides for increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement. The increases due under the agreement 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.
New entrants who joined the Defence Forces since 2011, may also benefit from the measures which will see interventions at points 4 and 8 of the pay scales for all such relevant new entrants to the public service.
The Public Service Pay Commission is currently examining recruitment and retention issues in the Defence sector. 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.