Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
355. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will consider a review of the rate of pay for conservation officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36394/23]
View answerPublic service pay has been governed by a system of collective agreements since the Croke Park Agreement was negotiated in 2010. These collective agreements have helped to ensure that public pay is managed in a sustainable, affordable and orderly manner. These agreements have also enabled significant reform of public services and changes to work practices.
The current public service agreement is ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022. The outcome of this agreement was a set of proposals put forward by the Workplace Relations Commission to extend Building Momentum for a period of 12 months to the end of 2023. Three additional pay adjustments totalling 6.5% are provided for under these proposals over 2022 and 2023. These are:
• An increase in annualised basic salaries for public servants of 3% backdated to 2 February 2022.
• An increase in annualised basic salaries for public servants of 2% on 1 March 2023.
• An increase in annualised basic salaries for public servants of 1.5% or €750, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2023.
Section 5.6.1 of the Agreement provides that there will be no cost increasing claims for improvements in pay or conditions of employment by trade unions, Garda and Defence Force associations, or employees during the period of the Agreement.
Sectoral Pay claims are a matter for the relevant Department in the first instance. There are established IR mechanisms in the public service where pay claims can be processed.
