Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the context of public sector pay we have to be able to compete on some level internationally. The pay and salary of serving members are important. When one in five families in the Defence Forces receives family income supplement, FIS, we know that we need to address this shortage. We all want Defence Forces that are fit for purpose. Will the Minister of State commit his Department to seeking a special incentive in this regard? This report gives the Minister of State and his Department significant leverage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the upcoming discussions. On page 57 of the report there are tables showing the attrition rates within the defence sector. In quarter 4 of 2008 there were over 11,000 working in the defence sector but by the end of quarter 4 in 2016 that figure was down 13%, a huge decrease. While working conditions, career enhancement and development are vitally important and we can address those matters internally, the pay element is hugely important. In the upcoming negotiations it is up to the Minister of State and his Department to make the strongest case possible for increased salaries across the board.

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