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Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Questions (421)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

421. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the steps he is taking to address the low pay of enlisted personnel in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24412/21]

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Written answers

A career in the Defence Forces offers a range of benefits, which includes pay and significant training and education and career developpment opportunities. As the Deputy will be aware Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements. The Department of Defence does not have discretion to award separate pay increases.

The stabilisation of the national finances following the financial crisis has led to improvements within the economy which have allowed the Government to restore pay to members of the Defence Forces and other public servants in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases has been weighted in favour of those on lower pay and pay rates for newly qualified members of the Defence Forces remain competitive when compared to other areas within the Public Service and the Private Sector.

The Defence Forces have received pay increases in line with the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the most recent of which was a 2% increase on annualised salaries from 1st October 2020.

The restoration of the 5% cut in allowances imposed under the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation, was also restored from 1st October 2020.

In addition to the general round of pay increases awarded to public servants, members of the Permanent Defence Force have also benefitted from the implementation of increases in Defence Forces allowances as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission. These included:

- a 10% increase in military service allowance,

- the restoration of a 10% cut applied to a number of Defence Forces allowances under the Haddington Road Pay Agreement

- the restoration of premium rates for weekend security duty allowances.

- the restoration of a service commitment scheme for pilots

The introduction of a new sea-going service commitment scheme for Naval Service personnel came into effect from 1st January 2021, is aimed at retaining highly trained and experienced personnel and incentivising sea going duties.

A sea going naval personnel tax credit of €1,270 was applied in the 2020 tax year for members of the Naval Service who served 80 days or more at sea on board a naval vessel in 2019. This tax credit has been extended for a further year and is increased to €1,500 for the 2021 tax year.

Negotiations on a new public service agreement were held in late 2020 with public service trade unions and representative associations. A new agreement ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’ has subsequently been ratified by the overwhelming majority of public sector unions. The Permanent Defence Force representative associations have yet to ballot their members and accordingly advise the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) of formal acceptance, or otherwise, of this agreement.

The agreement provides for further increases in pay to all public servants including members of the Defence Forces should the Representative Associations advise the WRC of formal acceptance of the agreement.

- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on October 2021.

- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1 February 2022.

- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on, 1 October 2022.

The Government remains fully committed to addressing pay and conditions in the Defence Forces and this is reflected in the Programme for Government which provided for the establishment of a Commission on the Defence Forces was established on the 15th December 2020. Upon completion of the Commissions work, I will consult with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the establishment of a a permanent pay review body, reflecting the unique nature of military service in the context of the public service.

Remuneration for individual members of the Permanent Defence Force is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military Service Allowance (as set out below). Other remuneration relates to Technical Pay Duty Allowances or other Special Allowances.

The pay scales for enlisted ranks (including military service allowance) for line Army personnel following the implementation of a 10% increase in Military Service Allowance are:

- Private 3 Star (Post 2013 entrant) €29,326 - €40,569

- Corporal (pre 2013 entrant) €39,747 - €41,518

- Sergeant (pre 2013 entrant) €42,493 - €45,001

- Company Sergeant (pre 2013 entrant) €49,115 - €52,227

- Sgt Major (pre 2013 entrant) €53,861 - €57,415

The pay scales for commissioned ranks (including military service allowance) for line Army personnel are currently:

- Lieutenant (PRSI Class A) €42,643 - €53,104

- Captain (PRSI Class C) €51,619 - €63,846

- Captain (PRSI Class A) €54,234 - €67,107

- Commandant (PRSI Class C) €64,217 - €77,689

- Commandant (PRSI Class A) €67,503 - €81,638

- Lieutenant Colonel (PRSI Class C) €76,609 - €84,652

- Lieutenant Colonel (PRSI Class A) €80,506 - €88,971

- Colonel (PRSI Class C) €87,082 - €104,162

- Colonel (PRSI Class A) €91,532 - €109,518

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