asked the Minister for Finance if he intends entering formal central pay negotiations for a 26th pay round with the public service unions in his capacity as employer; and if so, when.
Written Answers. - Public Service Pay.
46.
The Deputy will be aware that I outlined Government policy on public service pay in my budget speech last week. I emphasised two particular points in this context.
In the first place I stressed that no provision had been made in the revised Estimates for any further general increase on the expiry of the 25th round on 30 June next. I also set out the Government decision that, as from budget day, 31 March, no public service employers were to pay any special increases other than those already approved and for which provision was being made in the revised allocations for non-capital supply services.
I went on to say that I proposed to arrange for discussions with the various staff organisations on the implications of these decisions for the existing negotiating machinery. Arrangements have since been made for the Minister for Labour and myself to meet the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions today, Wednesday, to discuss these matters. Because of this I am afraid it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this stage.