Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:234. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Government failed to implement the Technical Pay Agreement concluded with the Defence Forces in July 2019. [49332/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 October 2021
Ceisteanna (234)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy was previously advised on 29th June 2021 the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 25 May 2021 conveyed sanction for the implementation of the findings of the review.
The purpose of the review, in the context of the agreement, was to rationalise existing technical pay arrangements and consider if the requirements could be met in a more cost effective manner. A review of Technical Pay Group 1 was conducted in 2014 and came into effect at the beginning of 2015.
While the review of Technical Grades 2-6 was underway, the recommendation from the Public Service Pay Commission relating to the review which related to retention of personnel, was substantially different to the focus of the original review. The Public Service Pay Commission recommended that the review of Technical Pay Groups 2 - 6, be completed at the earliest opportunity, without compromising the Public Service Stability Agreement.
An initial report (October 2019) and final report (January 2020) were completed and the approach to implementing the findings of the review of Technical Grades 2-6 was the subject of extensive enagement with the Department of Public Expediture and Reform. At the conclusion of that process, and as noted earlier, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 25 May 2021 conveyed sanction for the implementation of the findings.
My officials are currently engaging with PDFORRA to implement the recommendations of the Tech 2-6 Review and while the the matter is progressing there remain areas where some matters require further clarification and consideration before the review can be fully implemented. I wish to assure the Deputy that all parties are working hard to conclude this matter at the earliest possible opportunity.