Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
166. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Defence further to the recent decision by the European Committee of Social Rights that Ireland was in breach of the social charter of overtime pay, if a review of salaries of military personnel will be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12504/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI received the report of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) last week. This Report relates to Ireland's compliance with the European Social Charter on two specific issues - remuneration for certain work carried out by Defence personnel on public holidays and arrangements for compensation of overtime. The ECSR rejected two other complaints submitted in relation to similar matters, as unsubstantiated.
I understand that a formal Resolution or Recommendation on the complaint will be delivered from the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers by the end of the month. My Department will give careful consideration to the report and review it in the context of the decision reached in conjunction with EU and National obligations.
I was pleased to note that the European Committee on Social Rights also found that "several positive developments" have been progressed by Ireland in compliance with the Charter.
In particular the removal of the blanket exemption for the Defence Forces from the Organisation of Working Time Act, last January 2025, was acknowledged. The Defence Forces have introduced a manual system for recording hours of attendance to ensure compliance with the Organisation of Working Time Act. An electronic time and attendance recording system has been procured, with roll out of the system scheduled for later this year.
For the Deputy's information there are currently provisions in place in terms of working on a Public Holiday and compensation arrangements where personnel are required to work long or unsocial hours.
When required to work on a public holiday, members of the Defence Forces are compensated in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act.
Additional or irregular hours worked by the Defence Forces are compensated through allowances and structured systems of compensatory rest. In addition, a pensionable Military Service Allowance (‘MSA’), which is designed to compensate for the special disadvantages associated with military life, including long and unsocial hours, is paid to all ranks up to the level of Colonel. Military Service Allowance is also a pensionable allowance.
These existing provisions will be examined in the context of the finding of the European Committee on Social Rights.
Significant progress has been made in the area of pay for the Defence Forces over the last five years. The Defence Forces are signed up to the current national pay deal, the “Public Service Agreement 2024- 2026”. This agreement provided for overall pay increases of 10.25% over a two and a half year period consisting of pay increases totalling 9.25%, as well as a provision for a Local Bargaining mechanism equivalent to 1% of pay.
As Minister, my priority is to stabilise and further increase Defence Forces numbers, and in this regard, a number of recruitment and retention initiatives have been introduced in recent years. Significant progress on pay, in particular, has been achieved.
As of February 1st 2026, pay rates start at:
• €42,465 for a Private 3* (on completion of basic recruit training of approx. 24 weeks);
• €46,359 for a 2nd Lieutenant - entry rank for school leaver cadet on commissioning - rising to €51,748 after two years;
• €51,748 for a Lieutenant - entry rank for a Graduate Cadet on commissioning.
With the enactment of the Defence Amendment Act 2024, the Defence Forces Representative Associations have been granted associate membership of ICTU, which enables ICTU to represent them at the national pay talks
Public Service pay policy is set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is currently guided by the Public Pay Policy 2024-2026. Defence Forces pay matters fall to be considered within the established parameters of this policy.
The initiatives taken to date are having a positive effect with an increase in recruitment and a reduction in discharges in 2025. I am committed to continuing that positive trajectory which is demonstrated by Government's record allocation for funding for 2026.
