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General service recruits and privates who joined the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 2013 are set to receive further increases to their pay in the coming weeks. This follows the introduction of a revised pay scale which is backdated to 1 July 2016. The improved salary scales for new entrants arise following agreement reached within the provisions of the Lansdowne Road Agreement with PDFORRA who signed up to the Agreement in March 2017. The finalisation of negotiations allowed for the commencement of the process for the implementation of pay increases and arrears due under that agreement
When combined with recent increases, which were paid recently under the Lansdowne Road Agreement, these personnel will experience an increase of between 8% and 24%, depending on their point in their pay scales.
In real terms it means increases in the gross pay for general service recruits of over €38 per gross pay week for their 17 weeks of training and in the region of €78 per gross pay week for private 2 stars in their 12 weeks of training.
The combination of revised gross pay and Military Service Allowance for Private 3 Stars, who joined the Permanent Defence Force since 1 January 2013, result in an increase in the region of €2,000 - €6,000, per annum depending on their point in the scale.
The improved pay scales will also apply to new recruits starting their careers in the Permanent Defence Force.
The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D. said:
“Today’s announcement is good news for those who are considering entering the Permanent Defence Force.
“The Government is committed to the implementation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement which is allowing for a programme of pay restoration for all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. It recognises the contribution made by public servants during the economic crisis to restoring our public finances and ensures greater pay increases for the lower paid, who are usually new entrants.
“Prior to PDFORRA signing up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, significant engagement took place between officials in my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and PDFORRA and I thank them for their commitment in this regard.”
These improved pay scales follow on from recent increases of 2.5% from 1st January 2016 on annualised salaries of up to €24,000, 1% for annualised salaries between €24,000 and €31,000 which was paid to Permanent Defence Force personnel in July 2017.
An increase of €1,000 from 1 April 2017 on annualised salaries of up to €65,000 was also paid in recent weeks amounting to an increase of approximately €19 gross per week.
The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 which was the culmination of recent negotiations on an extension to the Lansdowne Road Agreement contains proposals for further increases to pay of between 5 - 7%, over the lifetime of the agreement, with the focus of the proposed increases on the lower paid. The proposals are under consideration by the Representative Associations.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009-2013 and the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 (the Lansdowne Road Agreement) define current pay policy for Public Servants and members of the Permanent Defence Forces. PDFORRA signed up to in the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA) in March 2017. The focus of the increases is on the lowest paid and recently recruited.
The measures contained in the Agreement are being applied to their members. This includes:
· An increase of 2.5% from 1 January 2016 on annualised salaries up to €24,000.
· An increase of 1% from 1 January 2016 on annualised salaries up to €24,001 to €31,000.
· An increase of €1,000 per annum from 1 April 2017 on annualised salaries up to €65,000.

These increases and arrears due were made in July 2017.

Recruits and privates who joined the Permanent Defence Force since 1 January 2013 will also receive the additional benefits of upward movements in their pay scale following an agreement between PDFORRA and the official side which was facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission earlier this year.
The effect of the combination of all these increases listed above will see the gross pay for recruits and new entrants rise by at least 8% to almost 24% dependent on their point on the pay scale.
All enlisted members of the Army undergo 29 weeks of training in order to become a fully trained infantry soldier. The first 17 weeks is recruit training. On successful completion they become a 2 Star Private. They then undergo a further 12 weeks of advanced training, after which they pass-out as a 3 Star Private.