John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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41. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department plans to review the tech pay and allowance and the specific service commitment schemes for aircraft technicians within the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58337/22]

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

Members of the Defence Forces have received increases in pay and allowances in accordance with recent public service pay agreements, the most recent under the Building Momentum extension agreement, which allows for:

- a 3% backdated pay-rise to 02 February 2022, which has been paid to members of the Defence Forces,

- A further 2% pay increase on 1^stMarch 2023, and

- 1.5% or €750, whichever is the greater, on 1^stOctober 2023.

In addition to the general round of pay increases, members of the Permanent Defence Force have also benefited from the implementation of increases in Defence Forces allowances as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission. This included a 10% increase in the Military Service Allowance.

The Public Service Pay Commission also recommended the completion of the review of Technical Pay Groups 2 - 6, which was underway at that time. Qualified Airmen, Corporal Aircraft Technicians, and Sergeant Aircraft Technicians holding an appointment in the Defence Forces Establishment benefited from Technical Pay uplifts under that Review. My Department has no plans currently to undertake a further review of technical pay and allowances.

There is not currently a service commitment scheme for aircraft technicians within the Air Corps.