Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
23. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has undertaken a study to determine the number of staff at the Defence Forces that are living below the poverty line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22662/23]
View answerWith its approval of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, this Government has committed to a range of actions 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 will improve pay and conditions.
It is also worth noting in this regard that the Report observed that much of the commentary surrounding issues of pay in the Defence Forces does not seem to fully reflect the totality of the remuneration package and believes that this needs to be better communicated.
Starting rates of pay in the Defence Forces compare very well to comparable rates of pay across the public service. In addition there is scope for further income from duty allowances and allowances for overseas service, with tax free duty allowance starting at €15,000 for a 6 month deployment.
The implementation of the Commission on Defence Force measures in 2022 resulted in the following pay rates being increased. These rates include Military Service Allowance, which is pensionable.
Following the most recent pay increases, of 2% on 1st March 2023 under the extension to the Building Momentum pay agreement, Recruits on completion of training (which takes approximately 24 weeks), start at:
• €37,147 in Year 1 – equating to €712 per week in Year 1
• €38,544 in Year 2
• €39,832 in Year 3
A school leaver Cadet on commissioning is paid €41,123. This is a second lieutenant position. After 2 years they are promoted to lieutenant and their pay rises to €46,406. Where a graduate joins – the pay rate on commissioning begins at €46,406. These rates all include pensionable military service allowance.
Military service allowance is an allowance that is paid for the unpredictable nature of the work encountered by the Defence Forces.
This information is published and routinely updated on military.ie, and is available at the following link:
Current Competitions - Defence Forces (military.ie)
On this basis, I do not propose to undertake a study to determine the number of staff at the Defence Forces that are living below the poverty line.
