John Lahart
Question:812. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Defence the status of the implementation of the strengthening of the Defence Forces high-level implementation plan. [15962/21]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
812. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Defence the status of the implementation of the strengthening of the Defence Forces high-level implementation plan. [15962/21]
View answerThe Government’s high level plan “Strengthening Our Defence Forces – Phase 1” sets out a range of actions to be undertaken in the short, medium and longer term. The plan is complemented by a range of other HR actions which were already underway.
The immediate pay measures set out in the plan i.e. an increase in Military Service Allowance, the reversal of 10% cuts to allowances and the restoration of weekend premium rates for overtime were implemented immediately upon their acceptance by the PDF Representative Associations. A service commitment scheme for pilots was also re-introduced, with very positive uptake.
The remaining projects in the plan contain both pay and non-pay measures. The pay related projects include a review of pay structures, consideration of incentivised long service arrangements and a review of technical pay (grade 2-6) arrangements, and are part of wider Public Sector Pay considerations.
The table below summarises the current status for each of the 15 projects included in the plan:
Project |
Title |
Status |
V1 |
Review of Pay Structures |
This project is being considered in light of the current Public Sector Pay Agreement. |
V2 |
Increase MSA |
Project completed – Payments made in Oct/Nov 2019. |
V3 |
Restore Allowances cut under Haddington Road Agreement |
Project completed – Payments made in Oct/Nov 2019. |
V4 |
Restore weekend premium rates |
Project completed – Payments made in Oct/Nov 2019. |
R1 |
Restore Pilot Service Commitment Scheme |
Project completed – Scheme Promulgated November 2019. |
R2 |
Tech 2 - 6 arrangements |
2 Reports completed in October 2019 and January 2020. These Reports are being considered in light of the current Public Sector Pay Agreement. |
R3 |
Incentivised long service arrangements - NCO and Officer ranks |
Report completed - October 2019. This project is being considered in light of the current Public Sector Pay agreement. |
R4 |
Barriers to extended participation in the PDF |
Project divided into 2 Phases. Phase 1 – Review of Mandatory Retirement Ages for Officers - Draft Report completed and a number of issues under discussion with DPER. Phase 2 – Review of Contracts of Service for Enlisted Personnel is progressing. |
R5 |
Bespoke Management training for leaders and managers |
Project completed - July 2020. |
R6 |
Professional Military Education [PME] Strategy |
Project completed - March 2021. |
R7 |
Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy |
Project completed - December 2020. |
R8 |
Non-Pay Retention Measures in the PDF |
Project completed - October 2020. |
R9 |
Additional specialist posts for high turnover/long lead in appointments. |
This Report is near completion. |
A1 |
Review of Recruitment methods for PDF |
This Report is near completion. |
A2 |
Workforce Planning |
This project is being progressed through the Strategic Human Resources Group as embedding and monitoring workforce planning in the Defence Forces will be an ongoing task. |