Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have acknowledged that there are significant challenges within the Defence Forces. As I stated, we are competing in a very strong and buoyant jobs market in which there is almost full employment. I asked the two Defence Forces representative associations to consider very carefully the report of the pay commission published in July. I am delighted that the recommendations of the public service pay commission were accepted yesterday at the biannual RACO conference. Immediate and tangible benefits will accrue to RACO members from that acceptance. We have increased the military service allowance and restored allowances cut under the Haddington Road agreement, as well as bringing back the pilot retention scheme. An implementation plan to strengthen the Defence Forces is being led by the Department of the Taoiseach and we are into phase 1 of the plan. There are specific timelines set down for its implementation and it is being led by a civil and military team.

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