Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
242. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to introduce a bargaining clause in the new agreement to make progress on sectoral issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14629/20]
View answer243. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to negotiate a new public pay deal with the public service unions; his further plans to ensure that there is an emphasis on embedding positive work practice changes that have emerged from the Covid-19 emergency and general productivity gains and effectiveness based on measurable outcomes; if he plans to ensure public servants are adequately compensated for the outcomes of these measurable productivity gains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14630/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the current public service pay agreement - the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 - runs to the end of the year.
Within the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to negotiate a new agreement with the public service unions which would take account of, inter alia, the State's financial position and outlook and that could include a mechanism to make progress on sectoral issues.
I will give full consideration to all of these issues over the coming weeks and arrangements will be made for discussions with relevant staff interests at the appropriate time.
