Thomas Gould
Ceist:21. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the improvement of pay and conditions for the Defence Forces. [23669/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 12 May 2022
Ceisteanna (21, 30)
James O'Connor
Ceist:30. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Defence the work that his Department is undertaking to address ongoing pay and conditions concerns with the Defences Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23754/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 30 together.
The Government remains fully committed to addressing pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. As the Deputy is aware, the current public service pay agreement, ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’, provides for increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. A general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever was the greater, came into effect on 1st October 2021. In addition, fixed periodic pensionable allowances, as well as allowances in the nature of pay, were also increased by 1% on this date.
The current pay agreement also provides for further increases in 2022, namely:
- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1st February 2022 last.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1st October 2022. Fixed periodic pensionable allowances and allowances in the nature of pay will also be increased by 1% on this date.
In addition to general round pay increases arising out of ongoing national pay agreements, members of the Permanent Defence Force have also benefitted from the implementation of increases in Defence Force’s allowances, as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission in 2019.
The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and I, as Minister for Defence, welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on 9th February last. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference, including an examination of the evolution of all remuneration systems and structures currently in place in the Defence Forces.
Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations is required. This involves significant inter-departmental consultation, and I and my officials are currently engaging with key stakeholders to ascertain their views. Following this engagement, I intend to return to Government with a proposed response to the Commission’s recommendations and a high-level action plan.
The Defence Forces Representative Associations, namely PDFORRA and RACO, will be consulted on all matters that fall within the scope of representation relating to the implementation of any approved plan.