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Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021

Thursday, 30 September 2021

Questions (109, 133)

John Lahart

Question:

109. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the implementation of the Strengthening our Defence Forces - high-level implementation plan. [47148/21]

View answer

Cormac Devlin

Question:

133. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence the status of the implementation of the Public Pay Commission's report on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47145/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 133 together.

The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces was published on the 4th of July 2019. The Report was accepted in full by the Government at that time and an extensive High Level Plan titled "Strengthening our Defence Forces – Phase One” was also agreed and published on the same date.  

 A total of 15 projects were undertaken.  At this point in time, most of these projects have been completed.  

 4 of them, relating to immediate pay have provided immediate benefits to PDF members totalling some €10m, as well as initiatives that will lead to further improvements. Also completed are projects on enhanced professional military education; bespoke leadership training, development of a mental health and wellbeing strategy, non-pay retention measures, consideration of the provision of additional specialist posts in certain areas and a review of technical pay groups.  

 For the project Review of Technical Pay Groups 2 – 6, sanction has been received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to proceed with the recommendations in the report. This is now being progressed through the Department’s Conciliation and Arbitration Process.  

 The Review of Pay Structures project was intended to examine pay structures in the Defence Forces and to fall under the new public service pay agreement “Building on Momentum”. However, in the intervening period, the Commission on the Defence Forces was tasked with examining pay structures.  

 The recommendations of a further project dealing with incentivised long service arrangements for NCOs and other ranks, will also be considered in the context of the sectoral bargaining element of “Building on Momentum”.  

 The project examining Barriers to Extended Participation in the PDF was split into two phases. Phase 1 focussed on reviewing mandatory retirement ages for Officers and is nearing completion pending clarification from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a matter relating to pension rules. Phase 2 is examining the contracts of service for enlisted personnel and has recently been submitted to me. There will be consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform prior to discussions with PDFORRA on the recommendations arising from the Report.  

 A review of recruitment in the PDF has been completed and the final report has also recently been submitted to me for approval. The Workforce Planning Project is being progressed through the joint civil/military Strategic Human Resources Group.  

 Additionally, the recommendations of the ongoing independent Commission of the Defence Forces, relating to recruitment and retention, will be considered and implemented as appropriate.

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