Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

74. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated cost of funding the full implementation of the Working Time Directive, welfare provisions; and the way in which he intends to address this. [49301/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware the Working Time Directive was implemented in January 2025 across the Defence Forces and serving members now enjoy its protections, subject to certain exemptions. In addition, a wide range of protections are also in place, specifically in regard to recreation and welfare facilities, deemed necessary and approved by military authorities, where personnel are on duty for an out of scope activity or are on-call in barracks with respect to such activity.

Such provisions are funded from central funds. This is in addition to gym and training equipment, approved by Military Authorities, which will also be sourced from central funds.

Any funding requests from the military authorities beyond existing resources, for approved measures, are to be sought in line with normal estimates process.

The implementation of the Organisation of Working Time Act provisions remains a work in progress with many of the welfare measures at various stages of approval/ implementation, thus making it difficult at this stage, to give an accurate estimate of the full implementation costs.

That said, the military authorities have advised, that concerning one of the welfare protections in place, namely the provision of one home reunion flight to Ireland, for personnel on a 6 month deployment, in circumstances where it is determined by the military authorities that annual leave cannot be taken in the mission area due to the security environment assessment, the cost to date is approximately €118k. In addition, the year-one cost for the implementation of a modern time and attendance management IT system to support implementation of the WTD is expected to be in the region of €1,100,000.

Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

75. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will, in the interest of equity, seek an increase in cadets' pay to bring it in line with the starting pay of a 3-star private as both are similarly trained and qualified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49124/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

As the Deputy is aware there has been significant progress made in terms of pay and conditions for the Defence Forces personnel, particularly over the last six years.

The starting pay of a school leaver cadet, on commissioning, was €30,884 in 2019. As of 01 August 2025 a school leaver Cadet, on commissioning to 2nd Lieutenant, is paid €45,795, an increase of 49%.

After 2 years at the rank, they are promoted to lieutenant and their pay rises to €51,184.

Where a graduate joins – the pay rate on commissioning begins at €51,184. These rates all include pensionable military service allowance.

In May 2019 a newly qualified three-star private could have expected to earn €27,759 gross per annum on completion of his/her initial training. That has now increased to €41,880 per annum.

As the Deputy is aware, different payscales also apply during the training period for both cadets and recruits. The current payscale applicable to cadets ranges from €25,748 to €38,526, depending on qualification. In addition, Cadets are also provided with accommodation and meals free of charge for the duration of their training, as part of their overall package.

The Deputy has referenced the fact that Cadets are similarly trained and qualified as a 3* Private during the first six months of training. While I appreciate the point made, Cadets are required to complete a further period of training of approximately 11 months before they are commissioned and operational. In summary Cadets are not available for duty following their initial six months training and therefore the comparison is not equal.

During their training periods, Cadets and Recruits are not paid Military Service Allowance. This allowance is paid to all ranks up to and including Colonel, who have completed their training, for the unpredictable nature of the work encountered by the Defence Forces.

Cadets receive Military Service Allowance (MSA) when they have been formally commissioned after their training, while recruits receive MSA when they are appointed to the rank of 3* Private or equivalent and are operational. The payment of MSA provides a significant increase in pay for personnel. The need for Cadets and recruits to complete training periods of different duration impacts on the timing of this payment and therefore comparisons on a like for like basis are not appropriate.

I would like to highlight that the current Public Service Pay Agreement, to which members of the Permanent Defence Forces are a party, provides for a Local Bargaining process. The parties can bring forward proposals, up to a maximum value equivalent to 3% of basic pay, with 1% to be paid from the current Agreement, and the balance to be addressed in any successor pay agreement. There is an opportunity to examine pay and conditions, including Cadet pay, through that process. I understand that local Bargaining discussions are currently underway between the Department of Defence, military authorities and the Representative Associations PDFORRA and RACO.

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

79. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces. [49209/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Significant progress has been made, in terms of the pay and conditions for Defence Force personnel, particularly over the last six (6) years. Under the current national pay deal, the Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, a further 1% increase in basic pay, as well as allowances in the nature of pay, came into effect on 1 August 2025, and will have a further positive financial impact, for members of the Defence Forces.

For context, in May 2019 a newly qualified three-star private could have expected to earn €27,759 gross per annum (including military service allowance but excluding duty allowances), on completion of his/her initial training.

Following the implementation of a number of pay related Commission on Defence Forces recommendations, coupled with ongoing pay increases being applied as part of national pay agreements, at present recruit pay, on completion of training (which takes approximately 24 weeks), starts at:

• €41,880 in Year 1 -
• €43,304 in Year 2 -
• €44,618 in Year 3 -