Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I stated in an earlier reply, the 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 parts of the public sector. Arising from the serious financial crisis the country faced, the pay of members of the Permanent Defence Force was reduced in a similar way to that of staff in other areas of the public service. The reductions in pay were on a graduated scale with higher percentages being deducted from those on higher earnings.

Under current and proposed public service pay agreements, pay is being restored to public servants, including members of the Permanent Defence Force. Successful negotiations with the Permanent Defence Force representative associations have provided for pay increases under the Lansdowne Road agreement, the most recent of which were paid to members of PDFORRA in July, together with arrears dating back to 1 January 2016.

The Government is prioritising legislation to provide for further pay increases to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces, under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020. Under the provisions of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill 2017, it is anticipated that between 2018 and 2020 the pay of members of the Defence Forces and other public servants earning less than €70,000 will be restored to pre-FEMPI levels.

The timetable for the restoration of pay as set out in the agreement is as follows: from 1 January 2018 annualised salaries will increase by 1%; from 1 October 2018 annualised salaries will increase by 1%; from 1 January 2019 annualised salaries up to €30,000 will increase by 1%; from 1 September 2019 annualised salaries will increase by 1.75%; from 1 January 2020 annualised salaries up to €32,000 will increase by 0.5%; and from 1 October 2020 annualised salaries will increase by 2%. 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 Forces representative associations and acceptance will be subject to ballot by their members.

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