Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2023
63. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a statement on members of the Defence Forces pay; how it compares with members of An Garda Síochána; and whether there are any plans for pay increases.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44366/23]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to be aware that starting rates of pay in the Defence Forces compare very well to comparable rates of pay across the public service. There is also further scope for additional income for members of the Defence Forces from duty allowances for specific duties carried out on an ongoing basis and allowances for overseas service, including a tax-free duty allowance starting at €15,000 for a 6 month overseas deployment.
The Deputy may be aware that a new training syllabus for Recruits, which will be 22 weeks, has commenced at the Joint Induction Training Centre, based in Gormanstown. The 22 weeks is divided almost equally between two sessions:
Initial Recruit Training pay is €465.02 per week for 11 weeks, with the recruit then moving to a Private 2*/Seaman rate of pay, for another 11 weeks, at €541.12 per week. It should be noted that these rates of pays, for trainees in the Defence Forces, are very favourable.
There has been significant progress delivered on pay and conditions for the Defence Forces in recent years. In May 2019, a newly qualified three star private could expect to earn €27,759 gross per annum (including military service allowance, but excluding duty allowances). Following the implementation of the Commission on Defence Forces recommendations, and the pay increases under the Building Momentum public service pay agreement, recruits on completion of training (which takes approximately 24 weeks), will start at:
• €38,016 in Year 1
• €39,413 in Year 2 and
• €40,700 in Year 3
In terms of Officers, a school leaver Cadet - on commissioning as an Officer- is paid €41,962. This is a second Lieutenant position. After 2 years they are promoted to Lieutenant and their pay rises to €47,245. Where a graduate joins – the pay rate on commissioning as a Lieutenant begins at €47,245. These rates all include pensionable military service allowance, which is an allowance that is paid to all ranks up to and including the rank of Colonel, for the unpredictable nature of the work encountered by the Defence Forces.
The above rates of pay include the most recent pay increases, of 1.5% (or €750, whichever is greater) associated with the current national pay agreement, Building Momentum. Enlisted personnel have had this increase applied in their weekly pay, while Officers will benefit form this salary adjustment, at the end of this month.
In addition it is important to point out that for Officers, as is the case for Enlisted personnel, there is scope for further additional income from duty and specialist allowances. There are also opportunities for frequent career advancement to higher ranks & to qualify for additional allowances where members of the Defence Forces acquire technical qualifications and/or fill associated appointments that qualify additional remuneration.
I recently announced the extension of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces ranks. Previously, this benefit applied to Commissioned Officers only. It will now apply to all personnel and will be of immediate benefit to a further 84% of the Permanent Defence Force based on current strengths.
In addition to the comprehensive range of primary care currently provided, this new measure will facilitate free access to private secondary medical care.
This is a significant enhancement to the overall benefits package for personnel and is unique in the public sector. It continues the significant progress being made by Government in improving the employment conditions of Defence Forces personnel.
