Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Rates of pay and conditions of employment in the Defence Forces have traditionally been set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public sector. Like other areas within the public service, the pay of the Permanent Defence Force was reduced during the financial crisis. The Government appreciates the contribution made by all public servants, including members of the Permanent Defence Force, during the economic crisis and is taking measures to restore pay across all sectors. The focus of the increases are weighted in favour of those on lower pay.

The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 to 2015, otherwise known as the FEMPI legislation, and the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 - the Lansdowne Road agreement - define current pay policy. Successful negotiations with the Permanent Defence Force representative associations have provided for pay increases to Permanent Defence Force personnel under the Lansdowne Road agreement. The Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, signed up to the Lansdowne Road agreement in March 2017. The finalisation of negotiations under the agreement allowed for the commencement of the process for the implementation of pay increases and arrears, which have now been applied to the Permanent Defence Force.

An increase of 2.5% from 1 January 2016, for annualised salaries up to €24,000 and 1% for annualised salaries between €24,001 and €31,000 was paid in July 2017. An increase of €1,000 from 1 April 2017, on annualised salaries up to €65,000 per annum, was also paid in July 2017. In addition, improved payscales for general service recruits and privates who joined the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 2013, were backdated to 1 July 2016 and paid in August 2017.

The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 contains proposals for a series of pay increases over the three years of the agreement ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% with the benefits to different income groups weighted towards those on lower pay. The agreement also provides for the restoration of the 5% reduction in allowances under FEMPI from 1 October 2020. The proposals have been presented for consideration to the Permanent Defence Force representative associations that participated in the negotiation process on the agreement. They are subject to ballot by members of the associations. The agreement will bring undoubted benefits to members of the Permanent Defence Force.

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