Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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115. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are plans to bring the entrance level wage in the Defence Forces up to the living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46655/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Defence Force personnel, like all other public service worker are covered by general public service pay policy. In that regard, I would point out some key features of the current public service pay agreement, Building Momentum. This agreement is heavily weighted towards those at lower incomes, including many entry level grades across the public service. There is a headline increase of approximately 5% for the lowest paid public servants. In accordance with the agreement, on 1 October, 2021 a general round increase of 1% or €500 (whichever is greater) was applied to annualised basic salaries of public servants including Defence Force personnel. The agreement also provides for the equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund (in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement) on 1 February 2022 and a further general round increase of 1% or €500 on 1 October, 2022.

It is important that Ireland’s statutory National Minimum Wage and the Living Wage concept are not confused. The Living Wage has no legislative basis and is not a statutory entitlement. More broadly, the Low Pay Commission has, on request of the Government, formally begun work on examining how Ireland could move towards a Living Wage. The study will examine the design of a living wage in an Irish context and consider the policy, social and economic implications. It is expected that the report will be completed before the end of the year.