Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:27. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on EU and International Affairs will next meet. [67525/25]
View answerCabinet Committees
Questions (27)
Written answers
The Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet Committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government.
The Cabinet Committee on EU and International Affairs was established by the Government on 18 February 2025. Its role is to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union, including preparation of Ireland’s Presidency in the second half of 2026, and international issues.
It last met on 8 December 2025 when it considered the agenda of the December meeting of the European Council and planning for Ireland’s Presidency in the second half of 2026. A date for the next meeting of the Cabinet Committee has not yet been scheduled.
Questions Nos. 28 to 84, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 85 to 91, inclusive, answered orally.
Defence Forces
Questions (92)
Thomas Gould
Question:92. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence the actions she has taken to improve pay and conditions in the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71668/25]
View answerWritten answers
Significant progress has been made, in terms of the pay and conditions for Defence Force personnel, particularly over the last five (5) years. Under the current national pay deal, the Public Service Agreement a further 1% increase in basic pay, as well as allowances in the nature of pay, came into effect on 1 August 2025, and has a further positive financial impact, for members of the Defence Forces.
For context, in January 2020 a newly qualified three-star private could have expected to earn €28,844 gross per annum, 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.
For the Officer cohort, a school leaver Cadet, on commissioning, was paid €31,581 in January 2020. As of 01 August 2025 a school leaver Cadet on commissioning, is now paid €45,795. After 2 years 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 a 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.
In the conversation surrounding the pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces, it is important to point out that in addition to basic pay and military service allowance, certain positions in the Defence Forces also attract specialist and technical pay. Additionally there is scope for further income from duty allowances for specific duties carried out, as well as the possibility of earning a tax-free duty allowance, starting at €15,000, for a 6 month overseas deployment.
Key changes introduced to broader conditions include the extension of private medical care to all personnel; increases to mandatory retirement ages and recruitment ages, and earlier this year, the removal of the blanket exemption from the Organisation of the Working Time Act.
As outlined, positive progress has been made on pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. There is a significant increase in interest in joining the Defence Forces over the last two years. We will continue to ensure that Defence Forces remains an employer of choice.