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

48. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the report of the Public Service Pay Commission on issues affecting the Defence Forces is on schedule to be published before the end of 2018; and if he has engaged with an association (details supplied) before preparing his Department's submission to the commission. [27736/18]

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

In 2017, under my direction, the Department of Defence brought issues of recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces to the attention of the Public Sector Pay Commission. As a direct result of that initiative the Public Service Pay Commission is now beginning an in-depth evidence based examination of those issues. 

The Public Service Pay Commission has requested hard data and detailed information from my Department. My Department has been working in close collaboration with Military management with the aim of preparing the material requested.

My Department has forwarded an initial tranche of information to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to Air Corps pilots. Further material in relation to the challenges in the Defence sector will be forwarded to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, for onward submission to the Public Service Pay Commission, in the coming weeks, as the collation of data and information is completed.  

I understand that both PDFORRA and RACO were requested to make a submissions by the Commission. I am informed that the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations made their submissions independently.  

I do not have responsibility for the Public Service Pay Commission and therefore cannot comment on the timelines for the completion of its work. 

The Department of Defence will continue to engage with the Public Service Pay Commission throughout the process and will give due consideration to the findings and recommendations that arises from the work of the Commission.