Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Given the unique and demanding nature of military life, there is, understandably, a relatively high level of turnover among Defence Forces personnel. This is not new and the Defence Forces have always had a level of turnover that exceeds other areas of the public service. To balance personnel turnover, there is ongoing recruitment at enlisted and officer level. This includes general service recruits, apprentices, cadets and direct entry officers.

In 2017, under my direction, the Department of Defence brought issues of recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces to the attention of the Public Sector Pay Commission. The Department of Defence has provided data as requested by the commission for consideration. The commission's work is ongoing. The Department will continue to engage with the commission throughout the process and will give due consideration to the findings and recommendations that arise from the work of the commission.

Defence Forces pay is increasing in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay. Members of the Permanent Defence Force have received the pay increases due under the Lansdowne Road agreement. New entrants to the Defence Forces will also benefit from the measures that were recently announced on amendments to the pay scales for new entrant public servants recruited since January 2011.

The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 provides for increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the agreement. The first increase, due from 1 January 2018, has been paid to Permanent Defence Force personnel and a second increase is due to be applied from 1 October 2018. Further increases are scheduled for 2019 and 2020. By the end of the current public service pay agreement at the end of 2020, the pay of all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces, earning under €70,000 per annum will be restored to pre-financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, levels. The restoration of the 5% reduction to allowances cut under FEMPI is also scheduled in the agreement.

The Department operates within the broader context and framework of public service pension policy. I am advised that military pension schemes, in the round, compare very favourably with the generality of pension arrangements applicable across the public service. There are no plans to amend the existing pension arrangements of Defence Forces personnel.

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