Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 May 2022
26. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Defence if there has been progress in honouring the outstanding pay adjudications from previous adjudicators of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23792/22]
View answerThe Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) provides a formal mechanism for the PDF Representative Associations (RACO and PDFORRA), to engage with the Official side. Under the Scheme, and having regard to commitments under national public service pay agreements, the Representative Associations can make representations in relation to the pay and conditions of their members.
The C&A Scheme, which is independently chaired, consists of members of Representative Associations as well as the Official Side. The Official Side comprises of members of the Department of Defence (Civil and Military) and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The entire body is known as 'Council'.
At present I am aware that there is a claim before Council in respect of an outstanding adjudication pertaining to the Army Ranger Wing Allowance. As per the agreed Terms of Reference of the C&A Scheme, matters in this space are confidential to parties involved. As such, no further information can be given to the Deputy at this time. There is also litigation ongoing in respect of a number of outstanding adjudication matters. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further on these.
It is important also to note that the current public service pay agreement, ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021– 2022’ provides for increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including to members of the Defence Forces. Chapter 2 of the Agreement provides for the equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund. The purpose of this fund is to deal with outstanding adjudications, commitments, recommendations, awards and claims within the terms of the fund, and within the exchequer funding limit in place. All public servants covered by the agreement are encompassed by this process.
