Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1335. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an incremental breakdown of the cuts that have been imposed on the Defence Forces since 2010. [13050/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in the Defence Force have traditionally been set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public sector. The Deputy 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.

In this regard I have set out below a list of measures which have impacted and reduced pay and allowances since 2010 for members of the Permanent Defence Forces.

- Provisions of the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest (No.2 ) Act 2009,

- Government decision to reduce new entrants pay and allowances by 10%,

- Government decision regarding the review of Public Service Allowance and Premium Payments to eliminate certain allowances and elimination of certain allowances for new beneficiaries,

- Provision of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2016 (The Haddington 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 the coming months. 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 will be dealt with within this process.