Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will do my best to respond to all the issues raised. It is unfortunate that some of the Senators who made a contribution could not take the time to hear my reply after they had made some accusations, which I have no problem defending. However, that is the way it is.

One of the issues raised is the pay and conditions of the Defence Forces. I have noted on several occasions that pay and conditions have been a challenge. I have acknowledged that in the Dáil and Seanad in the past and on a number of occasions at public events. It is only right and proper to highlight the pay of members of the Defence Forces. I will outline the average gross earnings in 2018 and go through the ranks starting with enlisted personnel. The gross average earnings in 2018 were as follows: €37,529 for a three star private; €41,076 for a corporal; €44,622 for a sergeant; €49,605 for a company quartermaster sergeant, CQMS; €50,224 for a company sergeant; €53,616 for a battalion quartermaster sergeant, BQMS; and €54,878 for a sergeant major. For the officer class they were: €37,108 for a second lieutenant; €42,291 for a lieutenant; €53,138 for a captain; €66,496 for a commandant; €79,162 for a lieutenant colonel; and €88,480 for a colonel. A three star private, if he or she passes out and concludes three star training, will come out with a gross annual salary of €27,913. Three weeks ago there was a new cadet class. A school leaver, a second lieutenant, will come out with €35,614 and a person with a third level qualification, a lieutenant, will come out with €40,566. They are not the lowest paid public servants, but I recognise that there are challenges.

I have stressed another issue here but Members are not willing to listen to me. There are fewer than 90 people on the family income supplement, which is now the working family payment. That is less than 1% of the total organisation. That includes members of the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence. People understand that the working family payment is in place for a reason. It depends on a person's circumstances.

Senator Craughwell spoke about retention. Page 78 of the White Paper refers to retention. It states that the recruitment, training, development and retention of suitable military personnel are essential factors in developing the military capabilities required to discharge the roles assigned by the Government. I assure the Senator that retention is mentioned in the White Paper.Senator Craughwell spoke about pilots and I presume that he was referring to RACO. Let me state that RACO was consulted on the matter. The views of the association were noted and taken into consideration when preparing the terms and conditions. The fact that the representative association does not agree with all of the terms and conditions does not equate with a lack of consultation. The terms and conditions were drafted by civil and military management, and consideration of the impact of serving members was part of that process and a balanced proposal was finalised. RACO has been consulted in the past on the terms and conditions for individual applications. RACO was also consulted on the proposals for the standardisation of the arrangements. I am also informed that departmental officials discussed the draft terms and conditions with RACO and the matters raised were considered in the development of the document.

RACO has informed me of its concerns as recently as last week. However, I do not accept that the terms and conditions represent a fundamental change for serving members or their promotional opportunities. Recommissioned officers will be offered a short service commission for a period of three years and in that period they cannot compete for promotion. Let me state that the association knows that and was informed of that situation. In that period the officers will not be allowed to compete for promotion nor will they block promotional opportunities for any other officer or pilot within the Air Corps. It is totally disingenuous to say that this blocks the promotion of other members.

Senator Gerard P. Craughwell:What if they extend it beyond that?