Vol. 428 No. 2
96 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the widening income gap between top civil servants and lower clerical grades, he intends to take any steps to improve the position of the lower paid grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The present pay levels of the Civil Service grades referred to in the Deputy's question have been determined by reference to the outcome of independent reviews or arbitration, the main factor being the pay of comparable groups in other employments. Discussions have been held, under the local bargaining clause of the Pay Agreement which forms part of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, with Civil Service unions, including the union representing clerical grades, on the pay and structure of Civil Service grades. The operation of the local bargaining clause in the public service is among the items being discussed with representatives of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions as a result of the invitation in my budget statement. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
I would make two additional points. Firstly, I would remind the Deputy of the extent to which special provision has been made in recent years for those on lower rates of pay, through the application of minimum increases under the Programme for National Recovery and Programme for Economic and Social Progress pay agreements. Secondly, it must be borne in mind that the date from which the comparison is made can have a significant effect on the outcome of any comparison of the pay movements of various groups.
