Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I stated previously, there are 57,000 recipients of family income supplement, not alone in the Defence Forces but throughout the public service and the private sector. I am not sure whether the Deputy has had an opportunity to read the report of the Public Service Pay Commission of May 2017. I ask him to read it. If he looks at it he will see how the Defence Forces are recognised and the challenges we face as an organisation are particularly highlighted. As I stated PDFORRA and RACO have been invited to the pay talks, which are part two and a follow on from the Public Service Pay Commission. They will be part of the negotiations and I hope they will be recognised. I have spoken to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform specifically on this issue as the Department made submissions, as did the representative organisations, to the Public Service Pay Commission. I take on board the views of the Deputy and I will consider them with regard to pay.

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