Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What I also said, which the Deputy did not acknowledge today or some weeks ago when he raised it, is that pay restoration is now under way in the Defence Forces. Pay restoration is occurring across the public service. As I mentioned, pay restoration is happening at all levels, but it is happening in particular for those who were recruited since 2013, who are often referred to as recent entrants. There is pay restoration of more than 20% in some cases. That will continue because we have repaired the economy and are able to balance the books. As the number of those in employment is rising and incomes are rising, we are able to start giving something back, including back to those in the Defence Forces. They will continue to see their salaries rise in the coming years, not just because of pay restoration but because we are reducing payroll taxes such as the universal social charge. They will also see more help with the cost of living, which is an important issue for everyone. For example, in a few weeks' time, the universal child care subsidy will come into effect for anyone who has a child between three months and six months of age. Things are now, at long last, going in the right direction for people across all levels of our public service.

To give an idea of the level of interest in becoming a member of the Defence Forces, 4,000 people applied for the cadet intake for 2017. There is huge interest in becoming a member of the Defence Forces.

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