Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2019
26. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of the proposed increases in pay and allowances for the Defence Forces personnel under the proposed deal from the Public Service Pay Commission; and the way in which this deal will stem the losses of personnel. [45760/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra32. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the review mechanism in place under the Public Service Pay Commission pay proposals for the Defence Forces in the event that the changes do not result in the forces retaining or recruiting staff in sufficient numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45761/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 32 together.
In light of particular recruitment and retention difficulties in Defence Sector, the Government tasked the Public Service Pay Commission to undertake a comprehensive examination and analysis of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force.
The Commission’s Report, on recruitment and retention issues in the Permanent Defence Force, which has been accepted by Government, contains a broad range of recommendations which will provide immediate benefits to members of the Permanent Defence Force as well as initiatives that can lead to further improvements. This includes immediate financial benefits in the form of:
- a 10% increase in Military Service Allowance (MSA), which, in itself, will boost the earnings of the majority of Permanent Defence Force personnel by between €602 and €675 per annum.
- the restoration to pre-Haddington Road Agreement levels of certain allowances specific to the Defence Forces including Security Duty Allowance and Patrol Duty Allowance.
- the restoration of Premium Rates for certain Weekend Duties.
- the re-establishment of a service commitment scheme for Air Corps pilots.
I welcome the decision of both PDFORRA and RACO to accept these measures.
These measures, which will cost €10 million per annum, are in addition to the increases in pay which members of the Defence Forces are receiving under the Public Service Pay Agreement 2018-2020.
The Government has produced a detailed plan for the implementation of the recommendations in the report of the Public Service Pay Commission. The plan provides for immediate actions as outlined previously, which are currently being implemented following their acceptance by the Representative Associations. The Plan also provides for further measures in the short, medium and longer term. A review of pay structures in the PDF will be undertaken as part of the more general exercise recommended by the PSPC in its 2018 Report. The identification of options to further incentivise long service arrangements for certain Officer and NCO ranks will also be progressed in the context of future pay negotiations. A range of other non-pay related actions are also being progressed.
As the actions being progressed have a range of timeframes, the full impact of the proposals will take time to determine. There are also a range of external variables which impact on recruitment and retention which remain dynamic. The capacity of the Defence Forces to undertake the tasks assigned by Government will continue to be carefully monitored having regard to the implementation of the full recommendations of the Pay Commission and other actions which are underway.
