Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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301. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the review of pay structures of the medium term project being led by his Department relating to the high level plan Strengthening Our Defence Forces; the status of the medium term project; the deadline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28641/20]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Service Pay Commission in its Report on certain health professionals published in August 2018, recommended "that the parties to the Public Service Agreement should consider putting arrangements in place, at an appropriate time, and without compromising the stability of the public service pay bill, to allow for the adequacy of current pay arrangements more generally to be fully examined."

The focus of efforts to date has been on implementation of the various measures contained in Phase 1 High Level Plan 'Strengthening our Defence Forces'. My Department has progressed and completed the following projects:

- Increase in Military Service Allowance;

- Restoration of Allowances cut under the Haddington Road Agreement;

- Restoration of Weekend Premium rates;

- Restore Pilot Service Commitment Scheme.

Changes to the pay of public servants, including the Permanent Defence Force, can only be considered in a public service wide context and by the parties to the Public Service Agreement, both now and in the future.