I propose to take Questions Nos. 307, 308 and 311 to 313, inclusive, together.
Work is continuing across the public service to secure further savings and reforms under the framework of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014. We must all maximise the Agreement’s potential to leverage further pay and non-pay savings as well as further reform of work practices and service delivery in the public service. As part of that process, I attended a meeting chaired by the Taoiseach, with the Chair and members of the Implementation Body, which is responsible for driving the implementation of the Agreement, on 11 October last. Deputies will be aware that the Body’s membership is comprised of representatives of public service management and from the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). A key output from that engagement is that revised Action Plans are being advanced at sectoral level. I understand that the Implementation Body is currently considering those draft plans and they will be published on the Body’s website in due course.
Separately, today I invited members of the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to discussions on a new agenda for improvements in the productivity of public servants and reductions in the cost of delivery of public services. This invitation has been issued in light of the Government’s determination to meet the challenge posed by the fiscal consolidation in the period from 2013 to 2015 to reduce the deficit below 3% of GDP by 2015, and a shared ambition to build on the substantial contribution already made by public servants to Ireland’s ongoing economic recovery.
Depending on the outcome of the initial discussions, the Government has indicated its willingness to enter a process of negotiation with the objective of concluding an agreement on workplace change and savings with its employees at the earliest possible date.