Defence | Renumeration of overseas deployments

To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which remuneration in respect of overseas deployments of the Defence Forces continue to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

In addition to their standard remuneration, Defence Force personnel receive tax-free payments for certain overseas deployments and duties.

The current rates are available on the Defence Force website and are accessible via the following link: https://www.military.ie/en/careers/faqs/defence-forces-rates-of-pay/

Where members of the Defence Forces acquire technical qualifications and/or fill associated appointments, associated technical pay and a range of allowances are available for certain duties performed.

It is also worthwhile noting that the current public service pay agreement, ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’ provides for increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. A general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever was the greater, came into effect on 1st October 2021. In addition to this, fixed periodic pensionable allowances, as well as allowances in the nature of pay, were also increased by 1% on this date.

This current pay agreement also provides for further increases in 2022, namely:

• The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1st February 2022 last. 

• A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on 1st October 2022. Fixed periodic pensionable allowances and allowances in the nature of pay will also be increased by 1% on this date.