Róisín Shortall
Question:220. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the gross cost to the Exchequer of all increments due to be paid to civil and public servants in 2014. [52825/13]
View answerTuesday, 10 December 2013
Questions (220)
Written answers
Based on the information available to my Department on the total cost of increments in a full year in the various sectors, the full year cost of increments in the public service (excluding the Local Authority sector), prior to the implementation of the Haddington Road Agreement, was estimated at some €150 million per annum. Significantly reduced recruitment, the ongoing substantial fall in numbers of public servants and higher numbers reaching the maxima of scales has reduced the cost of increments. This cost will continue to fall over the coming years.
Additionally, it should be noted that, as agreed under the Haddington Road agreement, there will be a number of increment freezes implemented from 2014 and over the lifetime of the Agreement, which will deliver a reduction of €60 million in the cost of increments. These increment freezes will be for varying lengths of time, on a progressive basis, ranging from a single three month pause for those earning under €35,000 to a three year pause for those earning over €100,000.