Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the pay front, very significant progress has been made, in particular on starting pay. As I said, the extension of private secondary health care and other allowances have been worked on. We will continue to try to improve the overall situation in terms of the remuneration package that Defence Forces personnel receive. The minimum for trained personnel comprises basic pay and military service allowances. That should not be missed in any calculations that are being made. The starting pay is now comparable, if not better, than any other areas of work in the private sector, in particular those coming out of school with the leaving certificate or a graduate on commission in the very first year.

We set up a new office of the RDF. I met the chief of staff and put a particular priority on this area. We have changed a number of procedures in terms of recruitment. There is strong interest in joining the RDF and we need to accelerate the recruitment, retention and training of reserves.

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