Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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49. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel that have exited the Defence Forces, excluding mandatory retirements, to date in 2018; the overall number he anticipates for 2018, excluding mandatory retirements; his views on whether the pay and conditions of the Defence Forces is forcing personnel to consider employment in other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24052/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have advised me that, as of 30 April 2018, 147 members of the Defence Forces left on a voluntary basis. The Defence Forces have a higher level of turnover that other areas of the public service. This is not unusual and is a feature of military organisations internationally. Given their voluntary nature, it is not possible to accurately estimate non-mandatory retirements for the remainder of 2018.

Rates of pay and conditions of employment in the Permanent Defence Force have traditionally been set by, amongst other things, reference to levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public service. Defence Forces' pay is increasing in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay. The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 provides for further increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement with the focus of the agreement once again being on the lower paid.  The first 1% increase in annualised salaries due from 1 January 2018 has been paid to members of the Permanent Defence Force. 

The Defence Forces offers competitive starting salaries and excellent career opportunities for any young person thinking about joining.  Following successful completion of an initial 6 months training, a newly qualified three star private starts on €27,257 per annum inclusive of military service allowance (MSA). This is an increase of 25% in the last 12 months.  After 15 months training a newly commissioned officer starts on €35,000 per annum (Inclusive of MSA); if newly commissioned officers are already graduates they start on €40,000 per annum (inclusive of MSA). 

In General Service ranks, the pay scales for Corporals (including MSA) ranges from €37,000 to €41,000 per annum. The pay scales for Sergeants, including MSA, ranges from €39,000 to €44,000 per annum. In addition almost half of enlisted ranks are in receipt of technical pay and duty allowances are also payable.