Burke backs Defence Forces pay increase

The current pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces are “unacceptable”, Deputy Peter Burke believes.

The Fine Gael TD for Longford Westmeath, yesterday met with members of the Defence Forces at the gates of Leinster House after they held a march to highlight poor pay and conditions.  Burke had been in contact with many current and former members of the Defence Forces ahead of the march and is in repeat contact with Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe in relation to a number of specific cases.

Burke said that current pay and conditions for the Defence Forces are unacceptable and stated he has brought this to the attention of the Minister and members of Government on a number of occasions with a view to seeing increases awarded in the budget that should reflect the invaluable work members carry out every day:

“Government needs to value each Defence Force member and the roles they carry out, whether that is peacekeeping or at home supporting the Gardaí and other State agencies. I am determined to ensure that the Defence Forces have the appropriate resources to maintain that commitment in the time ahead.

“Having spoken to Minister Paul Kehoe on a number of occasions on this matter after raising specific cases of local members, I understand the Government has tasked the Public Sector Pay Commission to examine recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Forces. That process is underway, submissions have been made and the Commission is engaging with individual serving members. This is just one element of the efforts to improve the pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces and it shows the Government is aware there is a serious problem, and it wants to address it appropriately.

“Like other areas of the public sector, members are benefitting from modest pay increases due under pay agreements and revised pay scales for post-2013 recruits have been implemented. Members of the Defence Forces are benefiting from increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4%, including restoration to pre-FEMPI levels for all those earning under €70,000. The first increase due from 1 January 2018 has been applied and a second increase is due to be applied from this October. The restoration of the 5% reduction to allowances cut under FEMPI is also scheduled.

“To redress the balance of personnel turnover there is ongoing recruitment at both enlisted and officer level. Also, a range of recruitment and retention measures are being implemented.

“On a wider note, we are investing in equipment, including those that increase force protection, such as Armoured Personnel Carriers and the Defence Forces built infrastructure is being improved with €35 million worth of projects at various stages.

“However, I know these increases do not go far enough and current members of our Defence Forces deserve more pay and far better conditions in order to appropriately reflect the work they carry out. We need to attract more members, and encourage those who are serving to stay on and currently we are not doing this.  I continue to work with government colleagues to push for more resources for the Defence Forces and major improvements in conditions,” Deputy Burke concluded.