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Tuesday, 29 Jun 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1-20

Defence Forces

Questions (19, 26)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

19. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the reason for the failure to implement the technical pay agreement negotiated in July 2019 between the Government and the Defence Forces. [34597/21]

View answer

Cathal Berry

Question:

26. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Defence when the approved technical pay grade 2-6 proposal will be paid to enlisted members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34703/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 26 together.

I presume the Deputy is alluding to the review of technical pay in the Defence Forces which was provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 (Croke Park Agreement). The Deputy will wish to be aware that the Minister for Public Expediture and Reform on 25 May 2021 conveyed sanction for the implementation of the findings of the review.

The purpose of the review, in the context of the agreement, was to rationalise existing technical pay arrangements and consider if the requirements could be met in a more cost effective manner. A review of Technical Pay Group 1 was conducted in 2014 and came into effect at the beginning of 2015.

While the review of Technical Grades 2-6 was underway, the recommendation from the Public Service Pay Commission relating to the review which related to retention of personnel, was substantially different to the focus of the original review. The Public Service Pay Commission recommended that the review of Technical Pay Groups 2 - 6, be completed at the earliest opportunity, without compromising the Public Service Stability Agreement.

An initial report (October 2019) and final report (January 2020) were completed and the approach to implementing the findings of the review of Technical Grades 2-6 was the subject of extensive enagement with the Department of Public Expediture and Reform. At the conclusion of that process the Minister for Public Expediture and Reform on 25 May 2021 conveyed sanction for the implementation of the findings. Discussions are currently underway with PDFORRA regarding the application of the recommendations and the process and timelines for implementation.

Defence Forces

Questions (20)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

20. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on any recent engagement with representative organisations from the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34514/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations S6 provided for the establishment of representative associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The associations that have since been established are RACO (for commissioned officers) and PDFORRA (for enlisted personnel).

The scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) for members of the Permanent Defence Force provides a formal mechanism for the determination of claims and proposals from the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations relating to remuneration and conditions of service.

Officials from my Department continue to work with the Representative Associations in a positive and collaborative process within the C&A Scheme to resolve issues. There is also ongoing engagement on a regular basis between the Official side and the Representative side on a range of items which are processed through C&A.

Since my appointment as Minister for Defence, I have met with the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) on three occasions: 17 July 2020, 20 October 2020 and 17 December 2020 and with the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) on four occassions: 17 July 2020, 20 October 2020, 17 December 2020 and most recently on 24th May 2021. I have also met with the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association on one occasion on 23 November 2020.

I look forward to further continued constructive engagement with the Defence Forces Representative Associations and I can assure the Deputy that I, and my Department, will continue to engage with the Representative Associations on all matters that fall within the scope of representation.

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