Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
25. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how salaries and remuneration for members of the Defence Forces compares with those in service in the United Kingdom and EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22685/23]
View answerIt is difficult to make a definitive comparison on Defence Forces salaries and remuneration internationally. There is ultimately no ‘one size fits all’ global or regional benchmark for this individual category of expenditure. It is important to note, however, that the biggest constituent element of Irish defence expenditure, consistently, is personnel spend, incorporating both pay and pensions.
There is an ongoing perception that pay for Defence Forces personnel is amongst the lowest in terms of overall public service pay and therefore the Government is open to criticism, on a continual basis, for failing to address the pay and conditions of serving members. Remuneration for individual members of the Permanent Defence Force is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military Service Allowance (MSA), with a starting salary of €37,147.
With its approval of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, this Government has committed to a range of actions to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a military career, and cover a range of measures which will improve pay and conditions.
It is also worth noting in this regard that the Report observed that much of the commentary surrounding issues of pay in the Defence Forces does not seem to fully reflect the totality of the remuneration package and believes that this needs to be better communicated, particularly so in the context of various allowances that are payable
The commission further stated that it was satisfied, in broad terms, that levels of average turnover are not out of line with other military organisations internationally.
A departmental infographic illustrates benefits, including a minimum of €15,000 tax free in allowances for overseas duty of six months, medical, physiotherapy, pharmacy and dental care, and a public service pension, and is available at the following link:
Current Competitions - Defence Forces (military.ie)
Following the most recent pay increases, of 2% on 1st March 2023, Recruits on completion of training (which takes approximately 24 weeks), start at:
€37,147 in Year 1 – equating to €712 per week in Year 1
€38,544 in Year 2
€39,832 in Year 3
A school leaver Cadet on commissioning is paid €41,123. This is a second lieutenant position. After 2 years they are promoted to lieutenant and their pay rises to €46,406. Where a graduate joins – the pay rate on commissioning begins at €46,406.
These rates all include pensionable military service allowance.
This is an allowance that is paid for the unpredictable nature of the work encountered by the Defence Forces.
