Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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51. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces that are in receipt of FIS and HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3658/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The circumstances surrounding an application for Family Income Supplement or Housing Assistance Payment, is a private matter between the applicant and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection or Local Authority, as appropriate. Various factors can give rise to such claims, with household income and the number of dependents being key variables.

It should be noted that despite the difficult economic environment we have witnessed over the last few years, these types of payments have acted as an important safety net for families who by virtue of their particular circumstances require financial support.

The Government recognises the contribution made by all public servants, including members of the Permanent Defence Force, during the economic crisis. Under Public Service Pay Agreements, pay is being restored to public servants. Successful negotiations with the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations have provided for pay increases under the Lansdowne Road Agreement. These pay increases were weighted in favour of the lower paid.

Improved pay scales 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. Gross annual earnings for this cohort is €27,000 (inclusive of military service allowance). This is a significant increase in pay which was approximately €21,800 per annum previously.

The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 contains proposals for increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the agreement.  I welcome the fact that the Defence Forces Representative Associations have accepted this agreement.