Written answers

Tuesday, 26 June 2018

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Remuneration

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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74. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which pay and conditions throughout the Defence Forces continue to be monitored and improved by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28042/18]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Rates of pay and conditions of employment in the Irish public service 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.

Members of the Permanent Defence Force have received the pay increases due under the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, which was considered and accepted by the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, 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 Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, will also restore payscales to all public servants (including members of the Permanent Defence Force) earning up to €70,000. The restoration of cuts to allowances will also be considered in the context of the Agreement. The first instalment of an increase of 1% on annualised salaries due from 1 January 2018, has been paid to members of the Permanent Defence Force.

While general pay is a matter for central determination pay processes, the Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force provides a mechanism for the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations to resolve matters relating to remuneration and conditions for their members, on Defence sectoral specific issues. All parties have accrued significant benefits from the C&A scheme since its introduction both in terms of reform of the Defence Forces and in terms of allowances and conditions of employment.

The C&A Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force operates under terms which were agreed by all parties in 1998. Given the changes that have occurred since then in the industrial relations area, I initiated a review of the scheme and appointed an independent chairperson to conduct the review. The chair is due to submit his report to me by the end of August. The findings and recommendations arising will be considered at that stage.

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