Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether the issues of pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces and the lack of suitable equipment to enable them to carry out their duties are the crucial factors in the difficulty in recruitment and retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27742/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Rates of pay and conditions of employment in the Defence Forces have traditionally been set by reference to, inter alia, relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public service. Defence Forces pay is increasing in line with recent public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay.

Members of the Defence Forces received increases in pay in 2017 under the Lansdowne Road Agreement. In addition, in a deal agreed with PDFORRA, improved pay scales were also implemented for general service recruits and privates who joined the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 2013. 

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 Defence Forces offer competitive starting salaries and excellent career opportunities for any young person thinking about joining.  Following the series of pay increases in the last 12 months, a three star private on completion of training starts on €27,257 (inclusive of military service allowance). This represents an increase of 25% on the starting pay scale of this rank in the last 12 months. This starting pay compares very favourably with other entry level pay rates across the public service.

 A newly commissioned officer starts on a salary in excess of €35,000 per annum (inclusive of military service allowance), following 15 months training. If officers are already graduates they start on a salary in excess of €40,000 per annum (inclusive of military service allowance). These rates of pay compare favourably with the average graduate salary across all sectors.

I am not aware of a situation where lack of equipment is impinging on recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. I am committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces continue to be suitably equipped, in line with EU and international best practice, to fulfil all roles assigned by Government. In this regard future equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence, as part of the capability development and equipment planning process.

 The Defence Forces have a higher turnover rate that other areas in the public service. This is a feature of military organisations internationally and is not unique to Ireland. There is ongoing recruitment to meet demand and the Defence Forces must compete with other employers in a strong economy. The Defence Forces provides excellent developmental opportunities for those who wish to pursue a military career and continues to attract high quality applicants for available positions.