Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2022
575. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence if he has considered increasing the wage of Irish Defence Forces personnel to bring it in line with European Union counterparts and in response to increased inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34288/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I am not in a position to comment on the pay structures of Defence Forces in individual member States of the European Union, the Deputy will be aware that remuneration for individual members of this State's Permanent Defence Force is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military Service Allowance (MSA). In addition to this, a range of duties attract additional allowances.
The recent Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which is significant and wide-ranging, includes an examination of the evolution of remuneration systems and structures currently in place in the Defence Forces. The Report makes a number of recommendations in this regard, including on pay structures, on pay review, and on pay bargaining and ICTU. These recommendations are significant and require detailed consideration, and I will shortly revert to Government with a proposed response to them, along with a high-level action plan. Given the significant recommendations contained within the Report, I have been engaging with all interested stakeholders on the content, including my Ministerial colleagues, members of the Defence Forces, and the Representative Associations.
In relation to Public Sector Pay policy, the Deputy may be aware that this matter is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements.
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. Most recently 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 and allowances in the nature of pay were also increased by 1% on this date.
The agreement provided for further increases in 2022, i.e.:
- 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.
- A general round increase in annualized 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 be increased by 1% on this date.
Notably, all Defence Force personnel also receive three additional public holidays over and above the public sector norms. These additional holidays are specific only to members of the Permanent Defence Force.
