Public Service Pay Commission Reports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2019

Thursday, 18 April 2019

Ceisteanna (26, 28, 29)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

26. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the next phase of the Public Service Pay Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17983/19]

Joan Burton

Ceist:

28. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Public Service Pay Commission will complete its module 2 report on the matter of recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces; when it will issue its findings; if it has already completed its report, the findings of the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18021/19]

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

29. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the work of the Public Service Pay Commission in respect of members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18042/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 28 and 29 together.

The Public Service Pay Commission was established to advise Government on public service remuneration policy. In the current phase, the second phase of the Commission's work, it was tasked by its Terms of Reference to undertake an examination of whether, and to what extent, there are difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff in key areas of the public service identified in its first report.

The Public Service Pay Commission has adopted a modular approach to its work programme for its present exercise.

As the Deputies will be aware, the first module was published by the Commission in August 2018 and deals with issues relating to Nursing and Midwifery, Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors and Hospital Consultants.

In relation to the Defence Forces, I understand that written submissions have been received from both the Employer and relevant staff associations and more recently, on 5th March last, oral presentations were also made to the Commission by both parties. Following this, the Commission has indicated that it expects to complete its examination of recruitment and retention matters in the Defence Forces by the end of quarter two 2019.