Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
187. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Defence the action her Department is taking to address the findings of the European Committee on Social Rights that Ireland is in breach of the European Social Charter due to failure to provide members of the Defence Forces with holiday pay and overtime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12511/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra189. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence to discuss the publication of the European Committee of Social Rights conclusion that the Irish Government is in breach of the European Social Charter in terms of Defence Forces rights violations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12516/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra212. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Defence the actions being taken in response to findings that Ireland is in breach of the European Social Charter in relation to Defence Forces pay, overtime and public holiday arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12464/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra221. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland has been found in breach of the European Social Charter Council of Europe Treaty over the prohibition on overtime for members of the Defence Forces. [12163/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra225. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Defence her response to the recent findings of the European Committee of Social Rights against the Government for not paying members of the Defence Forces premiums for public holidays and overtime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12001/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 189, 212, 221 and 225 together.
I 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 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.
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.
• €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.
In addition, 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.
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.
