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Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Questions (364)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

364. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on pay and conditions in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47621/21]

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Written answers

Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements.

Similar to other sectors in the public service, Pay has been restored to members of the Defence Forces in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay.

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 Force 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, which came into effect from 1st January 2021, is aimed at retaining highly trained and experienced personnel, while also incentivising sea going duties.

Furthermore, a sea going naval personnel tax credit of €1,270 was applied in 2020 for members of the Naval Service who served 80 days or more at sea 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. Following a ballot of their members the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, namely RACO and PDFORRA, formally notified the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) of their intention to comply with this agreement.

In return for ongoing reform and productivity measures the agreement provides for further increases in pay to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. This agreement includes the following increases:

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

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

Notably, all Defence Force personnel also receive three additional public holidays over and above the public sector norms. These additional holidays are specific only to members of the Permanent Defence Force.

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

Question No. 365 answered with Question No. 363.
Question No. 366 answered with Question No. 363.
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