Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2019
73. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the allocation made to the Defence Forces for pay and pensions in each of the past ten years; the amount spent in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24569/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraPermanent Defence Force (PDF) pay is provided for in Subhead A.3 of the Defence Vote (Vote 36). Payment of pension entitlements to former members of the Defence Forces and certain dependants are provided for in the Army Pensions Vote (Vote 35).
The Government has ensured that full funding has been provided over the period for the target PDF strength. Savings have arisen where the actual strength has fallen below the target level.
The following tables set out the gross allocation and expenditure on PDF Pay and Army Pensions over the last ten years.
|
|
PDF Pay Original Allocation (Subhead A.3) |
PDF Pay Outturn (Subhead A.3) |
|
2018 |
€428.2m |
€398.7m |
|
2017 |
€417.1m |
€396.5m |
|
2016 |
€416.1m |
€385.5m |
|
2015 |
€417.5m |
€389.9m |
|
2014 |
€422.5m |
€395.6m |
|
2013 |
€423.3m |
€413.4m |
|
2012 |
€425.4m |
€394.8m |
|
2011 |
€442.4m |
€421.3m |
|
2010 |
€438.1m |
€433.2m |
|
2009 |
€475.8m |
€475.3m |
|
|
Vote 35 Gross Allocation (Original)* |
Vote 35 Gross Allocation (incl Supp) |
Vote 35 Gross Outturn |
|
2018 |
€239.1m |
€242.6m |
€242.3m |
|
2017 |
€229.6m |
€240.6m |
€240.0m |
|
2016 |
€223.7m |
€234.7m |
€234.7m |
|
2015 |
€221.0m |
€227.5m |
€227.4m |
|
2014 |
€221.0m |
€225.7m |
€225.7m |
|
2013 |
€214.8m |
€223.8m |
€223.7m |
|
2012 |
€214.4m |
€243.9m |
€243.8m |
|
2011 |
€208.1m |
€223.4m |
€223.4m |
|
2010 |
€209.0m |
€218.5m |
€218.2m |
|
2009 |
€209.0m |
€214.9m |
€214.8m |
*Vote 35 Gross Allocation and Outturn includes provision for administrative costs associated to the Army Pensions Board and for the allowances payable to the surviving spouses of deceased Veterans of the War of Independence.
Savings arising within the Subheads of the Defence Vote have been, in consultation with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, used to address spending pressure elsewhere in the Vote or Vote Group, including Army Pensions. Savings arising in the PDF pay allocation in the years highlighted have been fully utilised within the Vote Group.
The Army Pensions Vote has required a Supplementary Estimate in the years in question in order to meet the additional superannuation costs of military pensioners. The number of Defence Forces pensioners has continued to rise year on year and expenditure requirements during these years were greater than what was provided for in the original Estimate.
