Liz O'Donnell
Question:27 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Finance the changes, if any, to which the Government is committed in public service pay determination systems, as referred to in his Budget Statement.
Written Answers. - Public Service Pay.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:31 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance if he has discussed changes in the pay determination system in the public service at any of his meetings with the social partners; if so, the outcome; if he intends to raise the issue of any forthcoming meetings with the social partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 31 together.
In my Budget Statement I pointed out that the Government were totally committed to change in the area of public service pay determination systems. I also indicated that it was our intention to press forward, in 1993, through discussions with the public service unions, with the introduction of a new system which would be more transparent and operate on assessment criteria which, while being fair to staff, would be responsive to the interests of the Government and the community as taxpayers.
A number of meetings between unions and management in various areas of the public service have already taken place and these are continuing.
On 4 June last agreement was reached on an understanding between the Government and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in relation to public service pay. I am particularly pleased that the understanding acknowledges the commitment of the Government and the Congress to bring discussions on the public service pay determination and industrial relations machinery to an agreed conclusion by 31 October 1993.