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Defence Forces Remuneration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Ceisteanna (130)

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

130. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to remove the additional pay scales for privates that did not exist in the past and were introduced under the Haddington Road agreement. [24280/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Defence Forces' pay is increasing in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increase is weighted in favour of those on lower pay. Members of the Defence Forces have received the pay increases due under the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

In addition, following negotiations with PDFORRA on behalf of their members, improved pay scales for general service recruits and privates who joined the Permanent Defence Force post January 2013, were backdated to 1 July 2016 and paid in August 2017.

The Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) 2018-2020 provides for further increase in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement, with the benefits once again weighted towards those on lower pay. The Agreement provides that an examination of remaining salary scale issues in respect of post January 2011 recruits at entry grades will be undertaken within 12 months of the commencement of the Agreement.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Government accepted an amendment at Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 that, within 3 months of the passing of the Act, my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Pascal Donohoe, T.D. would prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the cost of and a plan dealing with pay equalisation for new entrants to the public service. In accordance with the legislation, the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform submitted the report to the Oireachtas on 16 March 2018.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is the lead Department in this matter and has held discussions with public sector unions and representative associations. Further engagement will take place as the parties continue to work through the various aspects of this issue.

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