A claim for incremental credit for previous service in the Civil Service was lodged by the Civil and Public Service Union in 2000 and discussions with the union commenced shortly after. My Department agreed in principle to the claim last June. Negotiations are still ongoing between the Civil and Public Service Union and my Department on exactly how incremental credit will be awarded. As part of this process the question of awarding incremental credit for previous relevant experience in the public service has been raised.
It is hoped that the main issues affecting details of the agreement will be resolved in the near future and it can be introduced thereafter.