Great news as some officers in the Defence Forces in Kildare are set for pay rise

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris today confirmed the introduction of a payment to Officer Instructors in the Defence Forces in Kildare and elsewhere. 

These officers train recruits and other military personnel. 

Mr Harris said: "The security of the State and its citizens is a key priority of Government.  

"In that context, the Government is committed to strengthening our Defence Forces.  

"The number of applicants to join the Permanent Defence Forces points to a strong interest in the Defence Forces as a career. "In order to convert applicants to cadets and recruits, there is an urgent need for additional instructors.  

"There is also an urgent and immediate requirement to advance the professionalisation of the instructor cohort. The introduction of this new professional instructor payment for instructors at officer rank furthers this agenda."  

 

The Tánaiste added: “This new measure will apply to nearly 100 officer rank instructors, who must possess advanced education, specialist expertise and substantial experience.


“This is an important incentivising measure, which will complement various other measures that have been employed in recent years to tackle the critical matter of recruitment and retention for the Defence Forces. The positive measures taken to date have proven to be productive in the context of the number of expressions of interest received to join the Defence Forces.

 
“There is a heavy reliance on the expertise and experience of instructors to deliver high-quality training programmes as a key driver to transform culture and modernise the Defence Forces to ensure that the state has a professional defence forces capable of undertaking roles required by Government.

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“Instructors who undertake a new structured, integrated training programme, which is currently at an advanced stage of design, will act as leading contributors to cultural change in the organisation, and will assist in creating a modern Defence Forces.”

The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy added: "This initiative reflects the value we place on our personnel and, in particular, the personnel engaged in training and upskilling the next generation of Óglaigh na hÉireann.

"Military Instructors are responsible for the preparation and delivery of essential courses and exercises. They are a valued and key enabler of the Defence Forces, who ensure that inducted personnel are trained to the highest standards and that serving personnel have the opportunity to learn new skills, which in turn ensures the operational effectiveness of the Defence Forces."

The Tánaiste acknowledges the role of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform and his officials in bringing this important measure to fruition.

Professional Instructors Programme 

·         A new Professional Instructors Programme, being progressed in line with the strategic objectives identified in the Commission on the Defence Forces report, is in the final stages of design;

·         This new programme will further professionalise the instructor cohort and provide a strong organisational ability to recruit and train the required personnel.  These instructors who will also act as leading contributors to cultural change in the organisation, and will assist in creating a modern Defence Forces.