Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which ongoing changes identified in recent reviews of the Defence Forces including pay, gender respect and bullying and/or other sensitive issues are being addressed; the progress to date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2757/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to a range of actions to address key issues identified in recent reviews of the Defence Forces.
The Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces, which I published last September, brings together into one overarching document, the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.
My priority within this transformation is cultural change above all else.
It consolidates into one document key actions under a number of Defence Sector reports and plans, which will underpin this transformation.
Core priorities identified for completion by the end of 2024 under the Strategic Framework are:
• Specific actions to support cultural change within the Defence Forces through a well-designed and expertly implemented culture change programme, led and driven convincingly from the leadership of the Defence Forces.
• That the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces are stabilised, and thereafter increasing the strength towards the level of ambition arising from the Report of the Commission on Defence Forces.
• The implementation of a policy for the application of the Working Time Directive within the Defence Forces.
• To progress specific projects to enhance the physical working environment and equipment of our personnel including specific capability enhancements across all Services.
• To set up a new independent, external complaints service for serving members of the Defence Forces and a new complaints process for civilians and civil servants.
• To introduce the legislative changes to support the transformation of the Defence Forces.
• To set up the Judge led Tribunal of Inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces into workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct is established.
The Deputy will be aware that a range of measures have been undertaken to date to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, including in the area of pay and conditions. Starting pay rates in the Defence Forces compare very favourably with starting pay rates across the public service with recruits, on completion of training, starting at €38,016 while a school leaver cadet on commissioning receives €41,962.
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government and the Commission on the Defence Forces report, the provision of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces ranks came into effect in September 2023. Previously, various benefits applied to Commissioned Officers only. It now applies to all personnel and is 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 facilitates referrals to private consultants, as well as the costs of any diagnostic tests.
In addition to the above, I recently announced new changes to the existing Naval Service allowances, as a means of simplifying current structures, by consolidating the daily allowance and the sea-going commitment scheme into one enhanced allowance. This is in line with the Commission on Defence Forces recommendation to replace existing sea-going allowances with less complex measures. The sea-going commitment scheme was abolished from the end of 2023.
Specifically, the current Patrol Duty Allowance, paid to Naval Service personnel, will be doubled after ten days at sea. This measure has taken effect from 1 January 2024. This measure will result in the daily rate increasing from €64.67 to €129.24 for an officer, and from €64.27 to €128.54 for an enlisted person, after ten days at sea.
These are significant enhancements to the overall benefits package for personnel and continues the significant progress being made by Government in improving the employment conditions of Defence Forces personnel which will also, I believe, act as a recruitment and retention measure, going forward.
