Weekly pay rates in the Irish Defence Forces

The Irish government has been strongly criticised in recent years for the poor salary levels in the Irish Defence Forces which has prompted an exodus in personnel. Members of the Defence Forces have been struggling to pay their rent and support their families with the poor pay levels even forcing some Naval Service personnel to sleep on ships in port as they simply cannot pay for accommodation. In late May, the low pay and morale levels were detailed by Cathal Berry, former head of the Irish Army Ranger Wing, in a stinging Irish Times article.

Defence Forces personnel are now expected to see an immediate pay rise after the cabinet approved proposals for an increased €10 million package of increases in allowances. However, the Public Service Pay Commission is expected to say it was constrained by its terms of reference from increasing core pay levels. Cathal Berry has described the package as "too little, too late" and that it would work out at just €1 a day before tax. He added that "this is not going to stop people from leaving the Defence Forces.