Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 January 2018
27. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures he plans to take to ensure personnel are recruited and retained in all grades of the Defence Forces in view of the prevalence of low pay, poor conditions and the numbers qualifying for FIS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3369/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service.
There has always been a relatively large turnover of personnel in the Defence Forces and there is significant ongoing recruitment at both enlisted and officer level. During 2017, 751 new personnel were inducted into the Permanent Defence Force. As of end December 2017, the strength of the PDF was 9,173 personnel and it is intended that recruitment will continue during 2018. At this point I anticipate that approximately 800 personnel will be inducted in 2018.
Family Income Supplement provides a means to supplement a family’s income, be they employed in the public or private sector. Eligibility is assessed having regard to combined family income and the number of dependent children. Pay levels in the Public Service, including the Defence Forces, are determined on an individual basis and are not weighted in accordance with family circumstances.
There have been significant improvements in pay for members of the Defence Forces under the Lansdowne Road Agreement, which PDFORRA signed up to in March 2017. The finalisation of negotiations under the agreement allowed for the commencement of the process for the implementation of pay increases and arrears, which have now been applied to the Permanent Defence Force.
Following these revisions of pay, the first point on the payscale for a Corporal, including Military Service Allowance, is around €37,000. The first point on the payscale for a Sergeant, including Military Service Allowance, is just under €40,000 per annum. A newly qualified non-graduate entry 2nd Lieutenant can expect a minimum of €35,000 per annum after 15 months of training, while a graduate entry Lieutenant can expect a minimum of €39,860 per annum after 15 months of training.
In addition, improved payscales for general service recruits and privates who joined the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 2013, were agreed in separate negotiations with PDFORRA. The revised payscales were backdated to 1 July 2016 and paid in August 2017. Gross annual earnings for this cohort is €27,000 (inclusive of military service allowance). This is a significant increase in pay which was approximately €21,800 per annum prior to this agreement.
The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 provides for further increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the agreement. The agreement was accepted by the members of the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations in December 2017. Arrangements are being made to process the first 1% increase in annualised salaries due from 1 January 2018, for all Permanent Defence Force personnel. This builds upon the previous pay increases and further increases will take place over the lifetime of the agreement.
I have previously outlined particular challenges with vacancies in certain specialist posts such as Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers and certain Technicians. These specialists can prove difficult to retain where, as in the current economic circumstances, there are ongoing private sector and commercial semi-state sector job opportunities. In accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the Public Service Pay Commission will further examine the issue of recruitment and the retention of specialist personnel and I understand that both PDFORRA and RACO have been invited to make submissions. The Department of Defence is also preparing a submission.
I remain committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to fulfil all roles assigned, both at home and overseas.
