Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2018
91. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if recent comments concerning circumstances in which some nursing staff may not be awarded the same increases offered to other public sector staff under the agreement to deal with pay inequality are accurate; the legislation under which such measures could be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43951/18]
View answerUnder the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (PSSA), which was negotiated last year, it was agreed by all parties that there would be an examination of remaining salary scale issues in respect of post January 2011 recruits at entry grades. This examination was informed by the Report to the Houses of the Oireachtas submitted by me as Minister, in accordance with Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act on 16 March last. Following discussions between Public Service Employers and the Public Services Committee of ICTU, agreement was reached on a measure to address the issues identified.
The cost of this measure during the remaining term of the PSSA is €75m (€27m in 2019 and €48m in 2020). Provision for the additional cost has been provided for in Budget 2019.
In general, the agreement provides for two separate interventions which will take place at point 4 and point 8 of pay scales. The practical effect of this is that for ‘new entrants’ the relevant points on the scale will be bypassed thereby reducing the time spent (by bypassing two increment points) on the scale for progression to the maximum point. The average individual benefit arising across all sectors is approximately €3,300 which is in addition to the pay benefits provided for under the Agreement and legislation of 7.4% to 6.2% (up to 10% for new entrants post 2012) which were already weighted in favour of new entrants and the lower paid.
The benefits under the measure will be effective from 1 March 2019 and will, in accordance with Paragraph 4.1.3 of the Agreement itself, be restricted to Parties adhering to the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020.
Section 8 of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2017-2020 (PSSA) precludes industrial action, cost increasing claims and claims relating to pay.
Section 3 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (PSPP Act) distinguishes between ‘covered’ and ‘non-covered’ public servants. If a Union ceases to abide by the terms of the PSSA, public servants who are members of that Union will become non-covered public servants.
Non-covered public servants are subject to a 9 month delay in each pay restoration/increase; freezing of incremental progression until end 2020; a less favourable regime in relation to additional pension contributions and are excluded from benefits arising from the Reports of the Public Service Pay Commission or measures relating to New Entrants.
