Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the expenditure incurred in military service allowances in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11386/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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A Military Service Allowance (MSA) is paid to all ranks of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) up to the level of Colonel. MSA is designed to compensate for the special disadvantages associated with military life. This includes unsocial hours of duty, exposure to danger and the restrictions inherent in military discipline.

In 2018, the total amount paid to all relevant ranks of the PDF was €46.5m (provisional).

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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72. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated full year cost of restoring all Defence Forces allowances to pre-FEMPI levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11387/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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There are various factors which would impact on calculating the estimated costing in the manner sought by the Deputy. I am not in a position to provide this estimate as the information is not readily available.

Defence Forces pay is increasing in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, which was considered and accepted by the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, provides for increases in pay, ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement, with the focus being on the lower paid. By the end of the agreement the pay scales for all public servants (including members of the Permanent Defence Force) earning up to €70,000, will be restored to pre-FEMPI levels. The restoration of cuts to allowances will also be considered in the context of the Agreement.