250. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence if the reference to a Pay Review Body for the Defence Forces contained in the previous Statement of Strategy of her Department has been retained in the updated Statement of Strategy; if not, the reason it has not been retained; whether it remains Government policy to provide for an independent pay review mechanism for members of the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60332/26]

The reference to a pay review body for the Permanent Defence Forces was contained in the Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement in 2021-2023 which stated - "Provide support to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the Programme for Government commitment for a permanent pay review body for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF).” This reflected a proposal in the Programme for Government to be considered, following completion of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF), and consistent with national public sector wage policy.

The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published in February 2022. Since that date significant progress has been made in implementing various recommendations from the Commission in relation to pay for members of the Defence Forces. In addition, work is continuing on the CODF recommendation on the establishment of a mechanism to review specialists pay rates and allowances for members, within public sector pay policy. Accordingly, the reference to a pay review body for the PDF was not included as part of the next strategy statement 2023-2026.