Vol. 533 No. 6
58 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent ballot by members of the Civil and Public Service Union rejecting the revised Programme for Prosperity and Fairness terms; the steps he intends to take to deal with the problem of low pay within the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9738/01]
The CPSU has rejected the adjustment to the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness agreed between the employers and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in December last. The Government remains committed to the terms of the PPF as adjusted. The PPF contains a framework to allow the concerns of the CPSU about pay to be addressed. A fundamental part of the PPF, as far as the public service is concerned, is the provision for a benchmarking exercise, which will carry out a comparative examination of jobs in the public and private sectors. I am glad to note the CPSU is engaging in the benchmarking exercise. The CPSU has made its initial submission to the benchmarking body and has been given a copy of my Department's initial submission to the body. I urge the CPSU and its members to use the benchmarking exercise to deal with their aspirations.
In addition to the 2% pay increase with effect from 1 April, and a 1% lump sum next year, the amendment to the PPF provided a guarantee that one quarter of any increase recommended by the benchmarking body will be backdated to 1 December this year. The 2% increase from 1 April is being paid to members of the CPSU grades. Furthermore, I have already agreed to an improvement in the entry points of clerical and other recruitment grades by the removal of certain age points.
