Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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65. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his strategy to increase funding for the salaries of members of the Defence Forces. [24276/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements.

Similar to other sectors in the public service, the pay of Permanent Defence Force personnel was reduced as one of the measures to assist in stabilising national finances during the financial crisis.

Pay is being restored to members of the Defence Forces and other public servants in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay.

A 2% increase in annualised salaries is due for all members of the Permanent Defence Force from 1 October 2020, in accordance with the terms of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020. By the end of the Agreement the pay scales of all public servants (including members of the Defence Forces), earning under €70,000 per annum, will be restored to the levels in place prior to the introduction of the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation. The restoration of the 5% reduction to allowances cut under FEMPI is also scheduled for that time.

A High Level Implementation Plan “Strengthening our Defence Forces – Phase 1” is being progressed. The increase to Military Service Allowance and restoration of certain other allowances specific to the Defence Forces, as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission, have been delivered. A Service Commitment Scheme for flying officers has also been restored. A number of  projects in the Plan to enhance recruitment and retention are being delivered, while other projects relating to Defence Forces pay will feed into the negotiations for the next pay agreement.

The Government is committed to addressing pay and conditions in the Defence Forces and this is reflected in the Programme for Government. The Programme for Government provides for the establishment of a Commission on the Defence Forces. This will consider recruitment and retention issues and pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. Upon completion of the Commissions work, a permanent pay review body will be established.