Archive for 2016

Budget 2017 was announced on 11 October 2016.  The main Budget changes that may affect members are set out below.  This is a brief overview and not a complete statement of the measures announced in Budget 2017.  A more detailed analysis of Budget 2017 will be published in the Defender.   Universal Social Charge (USC) […]

Following PDFORRAs successful negotiation with Revenue for the introduction of a Flat Rate Expense for Enlisted members of the Defence Forces, representations were made to the Department of Defence for the transfer of the necessary information to the Revenue Commissioners so that the appropriate tax credit could be paid. The Department informed PDFORRA that before […]

Deputy General Secretary Election – 2016 Ballot Results Total Poll:                      1,118 Spoiled Votes:                    20 Valid Poll:                      1,098   Bright, Martin:             504 Lane, Brendan:             143 O’ Connell, David:        207 Scally, Mark:                 244   Patrick Doheny National Returning Officer 16th September 2016

PDFORRA has submitted a claim to the Department of Defence seeking the amendment of DFR A 11. This claim seeks to provide for the ability of eligible personnel to avail of Paternity Leave in accordance with the Paternity Leave Act 2016. The aforementioned Act states that: All employees must have their paternity leave certified by […]

PDFORRA members should be aware that if they are in possession of a full Medical Card they are entitled to pay a reduced rate of USC. Universal Social Charge (USC) is a tax on income that replaced both the income levy and the health levy. Since the start of 2016, Universal Social Charge is payable […]

In line with the movement of the British Retail Price Increase (BRPI) by 2.4% and consequential upon the application of Conciliation Council Report No. 87, the UK Course Allowance rates are to be increased. The table hereunder sets out the new and old rates:   Location Old Rate Stg New Rate Stg Military Staff College, […]

The pay of Privates joining the Permanent Defence Force since 2013 is less than it would have been had Para 2.31 of the Haddington Rd Agreement (HRA) been applied to them.  PDFORRA has already commenced negotiations to address this situation and has achieved some small advances but nowhere near enough to match the benefits provided […]

The National Executive Committee (NEC) has met to consider how PDFORRA should respond to the Government’s unilateral decision to impose an increment freeze on PDFORRA members in an effort to force PDFORRA to accept that the Haddington Rd Agreement section providing for an end to the two-tier pay structure does not apply to the members […]

PDFORRA, the association representing soldiers, sailors and aircrew of the Permanent Defence Force, says that the imposition of an increment freeze on its members is both provocative and inappropriate.  However, such a measure is in reality recognition by the Government that aspects of the Lansdowne Rd Agreement are open to negotiation rather than being a […]

In a shock move, the Department of Defence has informed PDFORRA that it intends to impose an increment freeze on soldiers, sailors and aircrew with effect from 1st July 2016 because PDFORRA has not agreed to sign up to the terms of the Lansdowne Rd Agreement (LRA). The Department has informed PDFORRA that it cannot […]