Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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With its approval of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Government committed to a range of actions to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, and cover a range of measures to improve pay and conditions.

It is also worth noting in this regard that the 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 Commission on the Defence Forces made a number of recommendations concerning pay structures, which have been implemented including:

• 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.

There has been significant progress delivered on pay and conditions for the Defence Forces in recent years. In May 2019, a newly qualified three star private could expect to earn €27,759 gross per annum (including military service allowance but excluding duty allowances). Following the implementation of the Commission on Defence Forces recommendations, and the pay increases under the Building Momentum public service pay agreement and the new Public Service Pay Agreement 2024-2026 (the latest 1% increase came into effect on 1st October 2024), recruits on completion of training (which takes approximately 24 weeks), start at:

• €40,297 in Year 1
• €41,707 in Year 2 and
• €43,008 in Year 3

In terms of Officers; a school leaver Cadet - on commissioning as an Officer- is paid €44,216. After 2 years they are promoted to Lieutenant and their pay rises to €49,552. Where a graduate joins – the pay rate on commissioning as a Lieutenant begins at €49,552. These rates all include pensionable military service allowance, which is an allowance that is paid to all ranks up to and including the rank of Colonel, for the unpredictable nature of the work encountered by the Defence Forces.

As with enlisted, there is scope for further additional income for officers from duty allowances. There are also opportunities for frequent career advancement to higher ranks and to qualify for additional allowances where members of the Defence Forces acquire technical qualifications and/or fill associated appointments that qualify for technical pay.

In addition to the above, towards the end of 2023 I announced new 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.

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.

As well as this consolidation I recently announced that the Sea-going Naval personnel tax credit will be extended for a further five years, as a further retention measure.

Further measures, including the following, are currently subject to further evaluation by the Department of Defence in discussion with the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform:

• On the basis that all personnel are paid the full rate of MSA applicable to their rank, MSA will be abolished and the full applicable rate integrated into core pay.
• Introduction of Long Service Increments to the pay scales of all ranks of enlisted personnel.
• Introduction of a mechanism to provide for ongoing review of the application of existing specialist pay rates and allowances to groups and categories of military personnel, and to make recommendations, within public pay policy parameters, where adjustments are required.

I am further considering incentivising measures for qualified officer instructors who upskill to meet modern training standards. I am pleased to say that I have agreement in principle with Department of Public Expenditure National Development Plan and Reform to incentivise such qualified officers.

These instructors are critical to providing professional instruction to new and existing personnel and have a key role to play in driving culture change in the organisation.

Finally, Deputy, I would point to the fact that the Commission recommended the commencement of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces rank, a measure that was initiated in September 2023. Previously, various benefits applied to Commissioned Officers only. It now applies to all personnel. In addition to the comprehensive range of primary care currently provided, this new measure will facilitate referrals to private consultants, as well as the costs of any diagnostic tests.

This is a significant enhancement to the overall benefits package for personnel and is unique in the public sector. It continues the significant progress being made by Government in improving the employment conditions of Defence Forces personnel which will also, I believe, act as a recruitment and retention measure, going forward.