Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2024
144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which issues relating to pay and conditions with the Defence Forces have been resolved or are under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28354/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver 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 an independent Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF), which was established by Government in December 2020.
One area the Commission on the Defence Forces was tasked with examining was the evolution of all remuneration systems and structures, currently in place in the Defence Forces, noting that the current Programme for Government recommends the establishment of a Permanent Pay Review Body.
In its report to Government, the CoDF recommended the "introduction of a mechanism to provide for ongoing review of 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" . It is important to note, in the context of this CoDF recommendation, that public sector pay policy falls within the remit of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
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 a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, and cover a range of measures which improve pay and conditions.
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.
Furthermore, in 2023 I, as Minister for Defence, announced the extension of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces personnel, a measure which commenced 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 facilitates referrals to private consultants, as well as the costs of any diagnostic tests.
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. The sea-going commitment scheme was abolished from the end of 2023.
Specifically, the current Patrol Duty Allowance, paid to Naval Service personnel, will double after ten days at sea. This measure took effect from 1 January 2024. It will result in the daily rate from 1 June 2024 increasing from €66.79 to €133.58 for an officer, and from €66.38 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 included a 2.25% wage adjustment from 1 January and a 1% from 1 June, thus far in 2024) the cumulative effect of these measures means that recruits, on completion of training (which takes approximately 24 weeks), will start at:
• €39,714 in year 1
• €41,125 in year 2, and
• €42,425 in year 3
In terms of Officers, a school-leaver Cadet - on commissioning as an Officer- is paid €43,222. This is a second Lieutenant position. After 2 years they are promoted to Lieutenant and their pay rises to €48,505. Where a graduate joins – the pay rate on commissioning as a Lieutenant begins at €48,505. 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.
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.
