Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In accordance with the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the Government tasked the Public Service Pay Commission to conduct a comprehensive examination and analysis of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in those sectors and employment streams identified in the commission's report of May 2017. This includes the defence sector in module 2.

In order to assist the commission in its analysis, the Department of Defence was requested to provide specific data. A civil and military team was tasked with collating this material. The specific material requested has been submitted to the commission. The Department of Defence is continuing to engage with the Public Service Pay Commission and is responding to queries and requests for further information from the commission. In this regard, the material is continuing to be collated by the civil and military personnel who worked closely in preparing the submission to the commission.

The Public Service Pay Commission has engaged an independent firm to conduct a survey of Defence Forces personnel to assist in the analysis. This follows on from a study conducted in the second half of 2018 of specialist personnel in the Defence Forces. The main data gathering for the survey will be conducted in February and March 2019. The survey is being facilitated through the Defence Forces. The Public Service Pay Commission has written to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, inviting the management parties to attend a meeting. This will include representatives from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The commission's work is ongoing. The Government will give due consideration to the findings and recommendations that arise from the work of the commission when it reports.

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