There are fears in Government that a soon to be announced package of pay improvements for the Defence Forces will not meet expectations of those campaigning for improved pay and conditions for soldiers and naval personnel. A report by the Public Sector Pay Commission into Defence Forces pay recommended increases to allowances that would improve members’ take-home pay. The measures may also include allowing the Defence Forces’ representative bodies, PDFora and Raco, to affiliate to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Neither is likely to satisfy the demand for a substantial rise in pay for Defences Forces personnel. Numbers in the Defence Forces have continued to fall despite recent recruitment campaigns.

Source: The Irish Times June 10, 2019 00:00 UTC