Written Answers Nos. 65-84
65. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status the joint submission by his Department and the management of the Defence Forces that was lodged to the Public Sector Pay Commission (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to correspondence outlining the financial situation of members of Óglaigh na hÉireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19217/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRates of pay and conditions of employment in the Defence Forces have traditionally been set by, inter alia, reference to relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public sector.
Defence Forces pay is increasing in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay.
Members of the Defence Forces received increases in pay in 2017 under the Lansdowne Road 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 with the focus of the agreement once again being on the lower paid. Members of the Defence Forces received an increase of 1% on annualised salaries from 1 January 2018.
The entry point on the payscale for new three star privates is now €27,527 (inclusive of military service allowance), which is an increase of 25% in the last 12 months. This compares very favourably with other entry level posts across the public service.
A newly commissioned officer starts on a salary inclusive of military service allowance in excess of €35,000 per annum, following 15 months training. If officers are already graduates they start on a salary in excess of €40,000 per annum, inclusive of military service allowance. These rates of pay compare favourably with the average graduate salary across all sectors.
Basic pay is just an element of the overall remuneration package for members of the Permanent Defence Force. A range of duties and appointments attract additional allowances.
In 2017, under my direction, the Department of Defence brought issues of recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces to the attention of the Public Sector Pay Commission (PSPC). As a direct result of that initiative the PSPC is now beginning an in-depth evidence based examination of those issues.
The Public Service Pay Commission has commenced this work and has requested statistical data and evidence from my Department. My Department has been working in close collaboration with Military management with the aim of preparing the material requested. The Military authorities have produced a paper. This is being considered by my Department having regard to the data and information requested.
My Department has forwarded an initial tranche of information to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to Air Corps pilots. Further material in relation to the challenges in the Defence sector will be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the coming weeks as the collation of data and information is completed.
The Public Service Pay Commission is due to complete its exercise in the second half of 2018. The findings and proposals arising will be considered at that time.
66. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 11 of 20 March 2018, the steps he is taking to respond to the matter of pay and conditions for the Defence Forces; the challenges in the Defence Forces that the Public Service Pay Commission has been tasked with; if the management of the Defence Forces has made its submission to the commission as requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19243/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRates of pay and conditions of employment in the Defence Forces have traditionally been set by, inter alia, reference to relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public sector.
Defence Forces pay is increasing in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay.
Members of the Defence Forces received increases in pay in 2017 under the Lansdowne Road 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 with the focus of the agreement once again being on the lower paid. Members of the Defence Forces received an increase of 1% on annualised salaries from 1 January 2018.
The Public Service Pay Commission was established to provide objective advice to Government in relation to Public Service remuneration policy. In 2017, under my direction, the Department of Defence brought issues of recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces to the attention of the Public Sector Pay Commission (PSPC). As a direct result of that initiative the PSPC is now beginning an in-depth evidence based examination of those issues.
The Public Service Pay Commission has commenced this work and has requested hard data and detailed information from my Department. My Department has been working in close collaboration with Military management with the aim of preparing the material requested. The Military authorities have produced a paper. This is being considered by my Department having regard to the data and information requested.
My Department has forwarded an initial tranche of information to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to Air Corps pilots. Further material in relation to the challenges in the Defence sector will be forwarded to the submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the coming weeks as the collation of data and information is completed.
The Public Service Pay Commission is due to complete this exercise in the second half of 2018. The findings and proposals arising will be considered at that time.
67. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if members of the Reserve Defence Forces have legal protection regarding the safeguarding of their positions in their regular employment if they are absent due to RDF missions abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19244/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Terms and Conditions for members of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve are outlined in Defence Force Regulations R5 and Administrative Instruction R5.
Members of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve are not employed or engaged under a contract of employment and are not employees per se. A contract of employment stipulates the hours of work, hours of attendance or other related matters normally associated with the concept of gainful employment. Furthermore, service with the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve is not pensionable under the Army Pension Schemes.
Ensuring an appropriate balance between voluntary activities and work and home life is a key challenge that is common to individuals involved in many voluntary organisations throughout the State. I am aware that some members of the Reserve have expressed concerns that attendance requirements as Reservists would necessitate them having to take excessive time off work and they see employment protection legislation as a way to facilitate such attendance.
As members of the Reserve undertake activities on a voluntary basis, there are currently no plans to introduce such legislation.
There is no provision in the Defence Acts to deploy members of the RDF on overseas peace support operations. The White Paper on Defence (2015) commits to developing a Specialist Reserve and, in this context, where there are skills gaps there may be opportunities for such Reservists to serve overseas on a voluntary basis. The Specialist Reserve will be progressed as part of the overall White Paper implementation process.
68. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason his Department failed to consider propositions supporting a supplementary pension or to conduct a stand-alone review of compulsory retirement ages to facilitate progressing a solution for new Defence Forces commissioned officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19274/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a reply will issue to an organisation (details supplied) on the issues relating to the discriminatory nature of superannuation anomalies while factoring in the unique military service conditions of mandatory early retirement. [19275/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra70. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to engage with the Ministers for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Employment Affairs and Social Protection and all parties to the CCR 421 agreement in order to ameliorate the superannuation entitlements that target the economic well-being of a particular cohort of Defence Forces commissioned officers. [19276/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to initiate and conclude in a timely manner the review of the mandatory retirement ages in order to allow progress to be made in the provision of a suitable solution to the anomalies identified in the superannuation scheme. [19277/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 68 to 71, inclusive, together.
A claim in relation to Conciliation Council Report 421 and claims to review the Mandatory Retirement ages for Commissioned Ranks have been received from the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) under the Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The Deputy will appreciate that as discussions under the C&A scheme are confidential to the parties involved it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.
72. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacancies at each rank in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19311/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are available, was 8,993 (Whole-Time Equivalent) comprising 7,229 Army, 717 Air Corps and 1,047 Naval Service Personnel. The following table outlines the total vacancies by rank, based on the agreed establishment for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. In this context, it is my intention that recruitment and promotions will continue in order to fill rank vacancies.
Targeted recruitment will continue to ensure that the Permanent Defence Force can continue to deliver all operational outputs required by government both at home and overseas. Recent 2018 Cadetship and General Service recruitment competitions have just closed and it is anticipated that 800 new entrants will be inducted to the Defence Forces across all services and competition streams in 2018.
|
Rank |
9,500 Rank Establishment |
Strength at 31 March 2018 |
Vacancies by Rank |
|
Lieutenant General |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Major General |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Brigadier General |
8 |
8 |
0 |
|
Colonel |
39 |
38 |
1 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel |
139 |
131 |
8 |
|
Commandant |
336 |
329 |
7 |
|
Captain |
452 |
365 |
87 |
|
Lieutenant |
256 |
239 |
17 |
|
Sergeant Major |
43 |
39 |
4 |
|
BQMS |
43 |
43 |
0 |
|
CS/FS/BS |
246 |
230 |
16 |
|
CQMS/FQMS |
198 |
178 |
20 |
|
Sergeant |
1,330 |
1,028 |
302 |
|
Corporal |
1,801 |
1,589 |
212 |
|
Private |
4,606 |
4,636 |
-30 |
|
Cadets |
Not applicable |
137 |
Not applicable |
|
Total |
9,500 |
8993 |
644 |
**Additionally there are 73 personnel on career breaks and 3 personnel on secondment who are not included in the strengths in the table.
73. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to publish the assessment submitted by the Defence Forces to his Department in February 2018 on the loss of Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19312/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when his Department's submission to the Public Service Pay Commission will be completed; when the report on the issues affecting pay and retention of personnel will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19315/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the paper prepared by military authorities as part of the joint submission to the Public Service Pay Commission will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19316/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has met representatives of an organisation (details supplied) on the submission to the Public Service Pay Commission; if the views of the organisation will be included in the joint submission process; if the terms of reference of the examination by the commission includes meeting representatives of the Defence Forces personnel, including the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19317/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 76 to 78, inclusive, together.
In 2017, under my direction, the Department of Defence brought issues of recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces to the attention of the Public Sector Pay Commission (PSPC). As a direct result of that initiative the PSPC is now beginning an in-depth evidence based examination of those issues.
The Public Service Pay Commission has commenced this work and has requested hard data and detailed information from my Department. My Department has been working in close collaboration with Military management with the aim of preparing the material requested. The Military authorities have produced a paper. This is being considered by my Department having regard to the data and information requested.
My Department has forwarded an initial tranche of information to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to Air Corps pilots. Further material in relation to the challenges in the Defence sector will be forwarded to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the coming weeks as the collation of data and information is completed.
I understand that both PDFORRA and RACO have been requested to make a submissions by the Commission and have done so.
The Public Service Pay Commission is due to complete its exercise in the second half of 2018. The findings and proposals arising will be considered at that time.
74. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated cost of restoring the scheme whereby a €22,000 bonus was paid to officers in the Air Corps over five years if they chose to extend their contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19313/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra75. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the annual cost of the operation of the bonus scheme to retain officers in the Defence Forces for each of the ten years prior to its abolition; the number of personnel availing of the scheme; the rank of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19314/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together.
The retention of Officers in the Defence Forces, in particular retaining Air Corps Pilot Officers, has been a challenge for the Defence Forces in recent years. The most recent Air Corps Pilot Service Commitment Scheme ran from 2002 to 2010 with the intention of retaining experienced AC Pilot Officers.
The following table illustrates the number of personnel who availed of the scheme, the rank of each and the annual cost of the operation.
|
Year |
No. of Personnel availing of the scheme |
Rank |
Annual Cost(€) |
|
2002 |
52 |
1 Capt, 29 Comdt, 19 Lt Col, 3 Col |
468,768.95 |
|
2003 |
37 |
4 Capts, 16 Comdt, 7 Lt Col, 1 Col, 9 Brig Gen |
517,322.52 |
|
2004 |
97 |
16 Capt, 50 Comdt, 28 Lt Col, 3 Col |
587,677.57 |
|
2005 |
89 |
17 Capt, 46 Comdt, 23 Lt Col, 3 Col |
659,892.73 |
|
2006 |
58 |
8 Capt, 32 Comdt, 16 Lt Col, 2 Col |
618,244.55 |
|
2007 |
53 |
6 Capt, 30 Comdt, 15 Lt Col, 2 Col |
529,214.35 |
|
2008 |
46 |
0 Capt, 27 Comdt, 17 Lt Col, 2 Col |
579,634.32 |
|
2009 |
34 |
0 Capt, 19 Comdt, 13 Lt Col, 2 Col |
514,448.00 |
|
2010 |
22 |
0 Capt, 13 Comdt, 7 Lt Col, 2 Col |
607,616.60 |
|
Total |
5,082,819.59 |
The Department of Defence brought the issue of the retention of certain specialists, including Air Corps pilots, to the attention of the Public Service Pay Commission in 2017. This matter is referenced in paragraph 6.29 of the Commission's report of May 2017.
The Government has tasked the Public Service Pay Commission with examining recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Sector in more detail and issues relating to recruitment and retention will be examined within this forum. In this context, the Public Service Pay Commission has requested detailed information from the Department of Defence. The Department has forwarded an initial tranche of information to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and further information will be sent in the coming weeks. The Public Service Pay Commission is due to complete work in this regard in the second half of 2018.
79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised with the Indian authorities and/or at the European Foreign Affairs Council the recent report by an organisation (details supplied) of the persecution of Christians in India; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19179/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have received the Church in Chains report entitled “Official India: On the side of the militants”, setting out the details of a number of violent incidents targeting Christian communities in India. The agenda for the next EU Foreign Affairs Council does not include India as a topic for discussion. A suitable opportunity to raise such concerns is in the context of the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue in which the EU and India exchange views on a broad range of human rights concerns as well as on cooperation in multilateral fora. A date for the next dialogue is being sought by the EU.
Ireland strongly condemns the targeting of religious minorities. Freedom of religious expression is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy and those rights must be guaranteed. Acts of violence and discrimination based on religion or belief, committed in the name of religion or national security, whether by individuals or by the state, must be challenged. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including in the Irish Embassy in New Delhi, will continue to monitor the human rights situation in India, in close cooperation with the EU.
80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress to date in implementing legislative measures as required under the 2014 Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19181/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the Troubles are of the utmost importance to the Government. The Programme for a Partnership Government highlights this priority, including a specific reference to implementation of the institutional framework on the past, as provided for under the Stormont House Agreement 2014. In the discussions at Stormont Castle on outstanding commitments that took place between March and June last year, my predecessor and I engaged extensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and all of the political parties to seek a way forward to implement the Stormont House legacy framework. This built on the progress made on legacy issues during the talks in 2015 that led to the Fresh Start Agreement.
I also emphasised in discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties, the need to ensure that legacy inquests are properly resourced and I continue to raise this issue with the Secretary of State. I have urged all with responsibilities in relation to legacy inquests to move forward as quickly as possible to implement the helpful proposals of the Lord Chief Justice for Northern Ireland.
I am working intensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to consider means by which we can support the political process, in accordance with the Agreement, to seek a way forward on the formation of a new Executive and as soon as possible.
In our recent discussions, the Secretary of State and I have agreed on the importance and urgency of achieving a definitive move forward with the establishment of the Stormont House legacy framework.
Victims and survivors have had to wait for far too long already for a suitable and effective system in Northern Ireland for dealing with legacy issues from the Troubles.
The next step in relation to the Stormont House Agreement legacy institutions is expected to be a public consultation by the British Government on their draft legislation to establish the legacy bodies provided for in the Stormont House Agreement.
Legislation will also be required in this jurisdiction to provide for cooperation with the Stormont House legacy bodies. The preparation of legislative proposals for consideration by the Government and the Oireachtas is being advanced by the Department of Justice and Equality in consultation with my Department.
The Government remains determined to see that there is progress in the period ahead on the Stormont House Agreement institutions, on legacy inquests in Northern Ireland and on other outstanding legacy issues, including the three all-Party Motions adopted by this House on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
The Government will continue to engage with the British Government and the political parties to seek an urgent move forward on these legacy issues to meet the legitimate needs and expectations of victims and survivors, and contribute to broader societal reconciliation as an integral part of the Peace Process.
81. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which his response to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 24 April 2018, stating that the OPCW investigation had no role in attributing the origin of or ascertaining blame for the poisoning in Salisbury, had a bearing on the State's decision to expel a Russian diplomat as stated in his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 17 April 2018. [19208/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPCW was requested by the UK to independently verify the toxic chemical used in the Salisbury attack. The OPCW was not investigating the circumstances of the poisoning or responsibility for it.
Following on from extensive briefings by the United Kingdom at senior official level and to EU Foreign Ministers, UK Prime Minister Theresa May addressed the European Council on 22 March 2018. She made a compelling case in support of her government’s assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation is responsible for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, with a military-grade nerve agent, and that there is no plausible alternative explanation. Having listened to the Prime Minister, and to the views of other Member States in a position to support her account, EU leaders unanimously agreed with the United Kingdom Government’s assessment. They affirmed that all EU Member States stand in unqualified solidarity with the United Kingdom in the face of this grave challenge to our shared security.
In light of these European Council Conclusions, I made the decision to terminate the accreditation of a diplomatic staff member of the Russian Embassy. This decision was based on an assessment of all the relevant political and security factors, and in line with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. As indicated above, the role of the OPCW, while significant, was not decisive in that overall decision. I am satisfied that the decision to expel a Russian diplomat was the most appropriate course of action in the circumstances.
82. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance when the summer economic statement is planned. [19089/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Summer Economic Statement (SES) is a key element of the reformed budgetary process which complements the Stability Programme Update (SPU). The macroeconomic outlook that was published in April, as part of SPU 2018, will underpin the SES. The SES will provide an updated assessment of the broad parameters for fiscal policies in 2019 and will outline what I believe will be the appropriate fiscal stance for our economy next year.
The SES is expected to be published during the summer.
83. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is undertaking a review of the vehicle registration tax following recent European Court of Justice rulings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19228/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI believe the Deputy is referring to the CJEU judgment on Case C-552/15, Commission v Ireland (VRT on Cross-Border Leased Vehicles). Officials from my Department and Revenue are currently developing a proposal to implement the ruling of the Court, which is only concerned with the method of applying VRT charging in respect of leased or hired vehicles, imported from a Member State of the EU, and which are intended to be in the State for a limited and pre-determined period of time.
It is intended that legislative provisions which implement the Court ruling will be brought forward in Finance Bill 2018.
84. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number and proportion of adults who hold a bank account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19239/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have consulted with the Central Bank and the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland. The information requested by the Deputy regarding the number and proportion of adults that hold a bank account is not available in the format requested.
Bank account could include both current accounts and deposit accounts as well as other payment accounts. It should also be noted that a person may hold additional accounts with various banks or other financial institutions.
However, for information, the Central Bank reported 5,286,356 personal current accounts at the end of June 2017 and the value of those accounts was €25.5 billion. Additional information can be found at the following link:
https://www.centralbank.ie/docs/default-source/Regulation/consumer-protection/compliance-monitoring/reviews-and-research/consumer-protection-bulletin---current-accounts-and-switching---november-2017.pdf
Taking the narrow interpretation of current bank account: a Eurobarometer survey in 2016 found that 76% of Irish respondents had a current bank account (the EU average), while 56% had a savings account. The information relating to this survey can be found at
http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/ResultDoc/download/DocumentKy/74150)
Taking the broadest possible interpretation, the World Bank reporting in 2017 that 95.3% of those aged 15+ had an account with a bank or other financial institution. For additional information please see
http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=global-financial-inclusion#)
On the issue more generally, the Payments Accounts Directive (PAD) was transposed into Irish law on 18 September 2016. From this date, all banks offering payment accounts were required to offer an account with basic features free of charge for at least one year to consumers who do not already have a bank account.
These basic features include an ATM card, direct debits and the ability to pay for goods and services online.
This means that unbanked customers are able to open a basic bank account, whatever their personal financial situation. For more information, consumers can log on to
http://www.finance.gov.ie/what-we-do/banking/payments/payment-accounts-directive/.
