Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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84. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has engaged with members of a group (details supplied) on 30 November 2017 during their 24-hour protest outside Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52915/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I did not meet with members of the Group on this occasion but I met with some of their members earlier this year. I am aware of their concerns.

Like other areas within the Public Service, the pay of the Permanent Defence Force was reduced during the financial crisis. The reductions in pay and the introduction of a Pension Related Deduction was on a graduated basis with increased rates of deductions for those on higher earnings.

The Government appreciate the contribution made by all public servants, including members of the Permanent Defence Force during the economic crisis and are taking measures to restore pay across all sectors, in line with public sector agreements. The focus of the increases are weighted in favour of those on lower pay.

Successful negotiations with the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations have provided for pay increases under the Lansdowne Road Agreement, the most recent of which were paid to PDFORRA members in July this year together with arrears.

In addition, improved payscales for general service recruits and privates who joined the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 2013, were backdated to 1 July 2016 and paid in August 2017.

The Government is prioritising legislation to provide for further pay increases to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces, provided for under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020.

This Agreement provides for a series of pay increases over the three years of the agreement ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% with the benefits to different income groups weighted towards those on lower pay.

The legislation also provides for the restoration of the 5% reduction in allowances which was reduced in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009-2015.

The proposals have been presented to the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations who participated in the negotiation process leading to the agreement. The representative associations are currently considering the Agreement which will subject to acceptance by ballot of the members of the Associations.