Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Prior to the recent pay talks I spoke to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, asking that PDFORRA and RACO be very much involved in the pay talks, and they were present for the full duration of the talks. PDFORRA signed up to the Lansdowne Road agreement in March and its members will have significant salary increases. The benefits which accrue to PDFORRA members are an increase of 2.5% from 1 January 2016 for annualised salaries of up to €24,000, 1% for annualised salaries between €24,000 and €31,000, and I understand this and the back pay were included in last week's payroll, and an increase of €1,000 from 1 April 2017 on annualised salaries of up to €65,000, which will be a further increase of approximately €19 gross per week and which is due to be paid in next week's payroll. In real terms this means that privates who have completed their 29 weeks' training will benefit in the region of €1,500 gross per year in the first three years of service. A deal was done for post-2013 recruits who will have an increase of 8% and 24%, depending on their point in their pay scales. This is significant and positive news for members of the Defence Forces. I instructed the Department of the Taoiseach and Defence to make a recommendation to the pay commission when it was carrying out its review.

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