Peter Mathews
Question:145. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans in respect of public sector pay agreements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23574/13]
View answerThursday, 16 May 2013
Questions (145)
Written answers
Ireland is committed to reducing its general government deficit to less than 3% by 2015. To meet this commitment the Medium Term Fiscal Statement published in November 2012 indicated that, in addition to the overall consolidation of €3.5 billion required for 2013, an additional €3.1 billion in savings and revenue raising measures must be identified for 2014 and €2 billion in 2015. If the public service pay and pensions bill at 36% of spending is to make a proportionate contribution to the additional expenditure reduction currently identified as necessary for the next 3 years based on current economic forecasts, it will require a further reduction of some €1 billion in the cost of the pay and pensions bill. To conform to our budgetary targets and continue on our path to economic recovery we need to make payroll savings of €300m this year and €1bn by 2015. The Government remains committed to achieving the required savings through negotiation and agreement.