Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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423. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the specific timeframe for which the two completed reports, with regard to the R2 Tech 2-6 pay arrangements of the high-level plan Strengthening Our Defence Forces, will remain under consideration before a decision is taken on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28639/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A review of technical pay was provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 (Croke Park Agreement). The purpose of the review in the context of the agreement was to rationalise existing technical pay arrangements and consider if the requirements could be met in a more cost effective manner. A review of Technical Pay Group 1 was conducted in 2014 and came into effect at the beginning of 2015.

While the review of Technical Pay grades 2 - 6 in the Defence Forces was in progress, the Public Service Pay Commission made recommendations relating to the review which were substantially different to the focus of the original review.

The Public Service Pay Commission recommended that the review of Technical Pay Groups 2 - 6 be completed at the earliest opportunity, without compromising the Public Service Stability Agreement. Two detailed Reports have been completed in line with the High Level Implementation Plan - Strengthening our Defence Forces - Phase 1.

This matter will be considered in the negotiations on the next public service pay agreement.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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424. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the definition of a medium-term project (details supplied); the status of the medium-term project; the deadline for completion of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28640/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces was published on the 4th of July 2019. The Report was accepted in full by the Government at that time and, to facilitate implementation, an extensive High Level Plan titled ""Strengthening our Defence Forces – Phase One” was also agreed and published on the same date.

The High Level Plan provides for actions or projects to be undertaken to deliver on the PSPC recommendations. It also proposes a timeframe for actions or projects to commence and identifies the lead actor to implement the action or project. The timeframe for commencement of actions is split into four distinct timelines i.e. immediate, short-term, medium-term and long-term. The Plan defines the timeframes as follows:

- Immediate (i.e. action to commence and be completed within 1 month of approval of this Plan);

- Short-term (i.e. action to commence (and in some cases be completed) within 3 months of approval of this Plan);

- Medium-term (i.e. action to commence (and in some cases to completed within 3 –6 months of approval of this Plan); and

- Long-term (i.e. action to commence within 6 –12 months of approval of this Plan).

The review of pay structures was set out as a medium term project being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in anticipation that such a review would take place in the context of discussions on a new Public Sector Pay Agreement and that these would commence in that time-frame. However, these discussions did not take place within that anticipated timeframe.

The Programme for Government, which was published in June 2020,, contains a commitment to establish an independent Commission on the Defence Forces which will consider, amongst other matters, pay and allowances and composition of the Defence Forces. The Programme for Government also states that upon completion of the Commissions work, a permanent pay review body for the Defence Forces will be established.