Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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829. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of enlisted Defence Forces personnel that are in receipt of income support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9620/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in each part of the Irish public sector have traditionally been set by reference to levels of pay available in related public sector employments. In this regard, the level of remuneration in the Defence sector has maintained relativity with the levels available in other related public sector employments.

I fully appreciate that many of our citizens continue to face some difficulties in the current environment, including members of the Defence Forces. The Government is making every effort, within available resources, to support all those who face hardship. In addition, there are various schemes in place through the Department of Social Protection, including Family Income Supplement, to support those on low incomes.

The circumstances surrounding an application for Family Income Supplement, or indeed any other scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection, is a private matter between the applicant and the Department of Social Protection. I am, therefore, not aware of the eligibility of individual members of the Permanent Defence Force to receive such allowances, or the total numbers of Defence Force members that may be in receipt of this financial support. Various factors can give rise to such claims. However, the important thing is that, despite the difficult economic environment we have witnessed over the last few years, the Government has maintained this important safety net for families who by virtue of their particular circumstances require financial support.

In terms of remuneration going forward, the new Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC), announced by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has been tasked with providing objective analysis and advice on the most appropriate pay levels for the public service, including the Defence Forces.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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830. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures his Department plans to take to address the disparity in pay for new recruits whose weekly pay is under €300; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9621/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in the Irish public sector have traditionally been set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public sector.

You will be aware that the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009-2015 and the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 (Lansdowne Road Agreement) currently define the pay policy for public servants. I can advise that PDFORRA (Representative Association) have yet to ballot their members in relation to the terms of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 (Lansdowne Road Agreement).

I understand that PDFORRA raised a number of issues arising from the Haddington Road Agreement, on which it sought clarification in advance of finalising their position on entering into the Lansdowne Road Agreement.  These are primarily issues of interpretation and technical issues on the savings to be achieved under the Haddington Road Agreement rather than substantive issues of principle.

PDFORRA members are complying fully with all of their obligations under the public service pay agreements and the commitments they entered into in those agreements.  PDFORRA has not repudiated the LRA.

Officials from the Department of Defence, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and PDFORRA have been actively working through these issues in a positive and collaborative process within the C&A Scheme over recent months. The Workplace Relations Commission facilitated discussions between representatives of the parties on 17 February, 2017. The Commission noted that the parties agreed the parameters under which they will conclude their arrangements on pay, in tandem in the Public Sector discussions. These Public Sector discussions will take place in the context of the report of the Public Service Pay Commission and the negotiations on a successor to the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

The Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC), announced by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has been tasked with providing objective analysis and advice on the most appropriate pay levels for the public service, including the Defence Forces. The Public Service Pay Commission is expected to report in Q2, 2017. Once this report is available, the Government intends to initiate negotiations on a successor to the Lansdowne Road Agreement ahead of Budget 2018 considerations. Future remuneration of Defence Forces personnel, including PDFORRA members, will be dealt with within this process.