Micheál Martin
Ceist:143. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the review of Defence Forces pay and conditions will be completed. [5332/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 5 February 2019
Ceisteanna (143)
Freagraí scríofa
In accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the Government has tasked the Public Service Pay Commission with conducting a more comprehensive examination and analysis of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in those sectors and employment streams identified in the Commission's Report of May 2017.
The Public Service Pay Commission has adopted a modular approach to its work programme. Module 1 reported in August 2018, on issues relating to the areas of Nursing and Midwifery, Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors and Hospital Consultants.
Module 2 provides that the Commission will report on those other grades/specialties where evidence of recruitment and/or retention difficulties were found to exist in Chapter 6 of its first report. This includes specific challenges in the Defence sector. The Commission has not yet indicated a timeline for completion of Module 2 of its work programme.
The Public Service Pay Commission requested specific data and statistics from the Department of Defence to assist in their analysis. This material was collated and prepared by civil and military personnel with inputs from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform coordinates the public service management response to the Commission and it sent the Defence material to the Public Service Pay Commission on 20 December 2018.
The Commission's work is on-going. The Government will give due consideration to the findings and recommendations that arise from the work of the Commission.