The basic pay terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness – PPF – are the same in the public service and the private sector. Assuming the programme is ratified, the new pay agreement will commence in the public service on 1 October 2000 and will last for two years and nine months, expiring on 30 June 2003. It provides for the following increases in basic pay: 5.5% from 1 October 2000; plus a further 5.5% from 1 October 2001; plus a final increase of 4% from 1 October 2002.
As indicated in paragraph 16 of section 1.4 of framework I and paragraph 4(c) of annex II, payment of the third phase increase of 4% will be dependant on specific performance indicators for each sector having being established by 1 April 2001 and these sectoral targets having been achieved by 1 April 2002, with progress in this regard having been assessed at organisational level by 1 October 2002.
It is intended, once the programme has been ratified, that the performance indicators to be put in place for each sector will be developed and agreed through the partnership structures which were established under Partnership 2000. It would, therefore, be premature at this stage to say what form the indicators might take in the various sectors but it would be entirely appropriate for them to be published in due course. The assessment of verified progress in meeting these objectives will be a matter for the relevant secretary general, health board chief executive officer, county manager, etc. as appropriate.
The programme also provides for the establishment of a quality assurance group in each sector. The agreed sectoral indicators will be supplied to the relevant group for confirmation that, in its view, the indicators meet the requirements outlined in the programme and the pay agreement, and are sufficiently challenging in that context. At a later stage, as each organisation confirms that its targets have been met, it will submit a report to the quality assurance group outlining the basis upon which the decision had been reached. It would be open to the group to examine the outcomes in the case of a number of selected organisations. If the group considers that the indicators or the subsequent progress reports are not satisfactory, they will be referred back to the partnership structures to be reviewed.
