Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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52. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the protest of 19 September 2018 regarding pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. [39913/18]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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58. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the demonstration by members of organisations (details supplied); if the demonstration has impacted on his approach to budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40063/18]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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74. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the Defence Forces veterans and families march over pay and conditions. [40065/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 58 and 74 together.

I am aware of the views expressed and the issues raised in relation to the Parade which took place on 19 September 2018. I note in particular the call for the restoration of pay.

As you are aware, similar to other areas of the public service, the pay of Permanent Defence Force personnel was reduced as one of the measures necessary to stabilise national finances during the financial crisis.

The economic recovery and a resumption of economic growth has provided the fiscal resources to provide for a sustainable and fair recovery in public service payscales.

Defence Forces pay and that of other public servants is increasing in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay. The Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations balloted their members, who voted to accept the terms of these pay agreements.

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

The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 provides for increases in pay, ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement. The first increase due from 1 January 2018 has been paid to Permanent Defence Force personnel and a second increase is due to be applied from 1 October 2018. In fact, enlisted members of the Permanent Defence Force will see the increase in today's wage packet. Further increases in pay are scheduled for 2019 and 2020.

By the end of the current Public Service Pay agreement the pay of all public servants (including members of the Defence Forces), earning under €70,000 per annum, will be restored to pre FEMPI levels. The restoration of the 5% reduction to allowances cut under FEMPI is also scheduled in the agreement.

New entrants to the Defence Forces will also benefit from the measures which were recently announced in relation to amendments to the pay scales for new entrant public servants recruited since January 2011.

Measures such as the implementation of the Working Time Directive for members of the Permanent Defence Force and a review of contracts for enlisted personnel are under active consideration. The Department of Defence is engaging with the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations on these matters through the Conciliation and Arbitration scheme.