Written answers
Tuesday, 2 July 2024
Department of Defence
Defence Forces
Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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106. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions he will take to improve pay and conditions in the Defence Forces given that one in four members quit the force in the past 27 months. [28190/24]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Over the last number of years members of the Defence Forces have benefitted from a range of pay increases associated with national pay agreements. In addition to these pay increases, members of the Defence Forces have further benefitted from specific recommendations arising from the Report of Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF), which was established by Government in December 2020.
It is worth noting, in this regard, that this Report observed that much of the commentary surrounding issues of pay in the Defence Forces does not seem to fully reflect the totality of the remuneration package and believes that this needs to be better communicated.
The Government has progressed a number of key measures arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces Report to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include:
- Removal of the requirement for a Private 3 Star/Able Seaman to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank (as detailed above in terms starting pay rates);
- Payment of the full rate of Military Service Allowance (MSA) applicable to the rank of all Private 3 Star/Able Seaman personnel.
In addition to the above, I introduced changes to the existing Naval Service allowances, as a means of simplifying current structures, by consolidating the daily allowance and the sea-going commitment scheme into one enhanced allowance. This is in line with the Commission on Defence Forces recommendation to replace existing sea-going allowances with less complex measures, with the sea-going commitment scheme was abolished from the end of 2023.
Specifically, the current Patrol Duty Allowance, paid to Naval Service personnel, is doubled, after ten days at sea. This measure took effect from 1 January 2024. Currently, post the 1 June 2024 increase, the daily rate has increased from €66.79 to €132.58 for an officer, and from €66.368 to €132.76 for an enlisted person, after ten days at sea.
Having due regard to all of the measures mentioned it is therefore important to note that significant progress has been delivered on pay and conditions, for the Defence Forces, in recent years. Following the implementation of the Commission on Defence Forces recommendations, as well as the ratification of a new public service pay agreement in 2024 (which resulted in an initial 2.25% wage adjustment from 1 January and a further 1% from 1 June so far in 2024) this means that recruits, on completion of training (which takes approximately 24 weeks), start at:
- €39,714 in year 1
- €41,125 in year 2, and
- €42,425 in year 3
It should be noted that a further 1% pay rise is due on 1 October to all public service personnel.
Remuneration for individual members of the Defence Forces is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum payment for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military Service Allowance. Defence Force personnel also have access to other remuneration streams, such as technical and specialist pay, while at the same time a wide range of duties attract additional allowances.
I am also pleased to say that I have recently approved a policy in relation to the removal of the blanket exemption which currently applies to the Defence Forces in the Organisation of Working Time Act. The next step in the process is to progress the necessary legislative amendments, a process which my officials are engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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107. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which it is intended to procure a new multi-role vessel with the capability of carrying a helicopter. [28128/24]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published in November 2023. It builds on the publication of the Commission Report itself in February 2022, the High Level Action Plan in July 2022 and the Early Actions Update published in March 2023. This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to Level of Ambition 2, known as LOA2, by 2028 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across the Commission’s recommendations.
The Commission's recommendations for the move to LOA2 includes the recommendation for an accelerated programme of naval vessel replacement, to ensure a balanced fleet of nine modern ships is reached by early in the next decade.
In this regard, Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the procurement of a Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) to replace the now decommissioned flagship, LÉ Eithne. A Prior Information Notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Union in January to advise the market of my Department's intention to run a tender competition to procure a MRV to replace the former flagship. Work is currently underway that will inform next steps.
I remain committed to ensuring the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, are equipped to carry out the roles assigned to them by Government.
Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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108. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of serving members of the Defence Forces who have been convicted of a criminal offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28137/24]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As I have already stated publicly , since becoming Minister for Defence 18 months ago, I have been absolutely clear on the need for urgent transformation of the culture in the Defence Forces.
I wish to reiterate in the strongest possible terms that the Defence Forces is not a place where someone convicted of serious physical assaults, sexual offences or domestic or gender-based violence can be allowed to continue to serve.
Recent reports on these matters are very concerning.
As the Deputy will be aware, following a recent case, I was informed on Friday 21 June of a further cases involving a member who is still serving after being convicted of assault causing harm..
In light of this, I immediately requested a report from the Chief of Staff to find out how many serving members of the Defence Forces have civil convictions, or are before the civil courts on serious criminal offences. I received an initial report early last week and sought further clarification on the content.
On Wednesday evening last, I received a report of 68 Defence Forces personnel who have been convicted, or are currently before the civil courts, on a range of criminal offences including public order, drink driving, drugs offences, physical assault and sexual offences.
I have asked officials to provide a concise report based on the information received and have sought legal advice from the Attorney General in terms of publishing that. I will not be commenting further on the detail at this time until I've received this advice.
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