Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2016
68. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount saved by having a lower level of pay for new recruits to the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13012/16]
View answerThe 10 per cent reduced rates of pay for new entrant public servants was one of a number of measures introduced over the period of the fiscal crisis which directly affected the pay of public servants. The reductions in starting pay were introduced in 2011 by the then Government of the day in order to reduce the Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill.
The reduced rates were introduced with effect from 1 January 2011 and were in place until 1 November 2013. Based on the Civil Service data available, at the end of September 2013 there were some 600 WTEs on the 10% reduced pay scales with an estimated saving of €2m on an annual basis. Estimates of savings for groups outside the Civil Service are a matter for the Minister responsible for that sector.
The issue of addressing the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants, who entered public service employment since 2011, and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA).
