Sorca Clarke
Question:115. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence his proposals to negate the impact of reports regarding the spiralling cost of living on serving members of the Permanent Defence Forces. [56517/21]
View answerThursday, 18 November 2021
Questions (115, 118, 131)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:118. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence the improvements that have taken place in the pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces since this Government was formed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56482/21]
View answer
Gary Gannon
Question:131. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the financial difficulties being experienced by members of the Naval Service; the practical measures he plans to take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56545/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 118 and 131 together.
Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements.
Since the formation of the Government last year, members of the Defence Forces received a 2% increase on annualised salaries from 1st October 2020, in line with the terms of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020.
The 5% cut in Defence Forces allowances, imposed under the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation, was also restored from 1st October 2020.
The current public service pay agreement, ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’ ,provides for further increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. Most recently a general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever was the greater, came into effect on 1st October 2021.
The agreement provides for further increases in 2022, i.e.:
- 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.
In relation to specific measures, the sea going naval personnel tax credit, which was introduced in the Finance Act 2019, was increased from €1,270 to €1,500 for the 2021 tax year and has been extended to the 2022 tax year.
A new sea-going service commitment scheme, for Naval Service personnel, came into effect from 1st January 2021. This scheme is aimed at retaining highly trained and experienced personnel, while also incentivising sea going duties.
The Government remains fully committed to addressing pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. The Programme for Government provided for the establishment of a Commission on the Defence Forces, which was established in December 2020. The terms of reference for the Commission includes an examination of the evolution of all remuneration systems and structures currently in place in the Defence Forces
On completion of the Commission's 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.