Croke Park Agreement Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2013

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Ceisteanna (248)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

248. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the severity of the Croke Park II proposed cuts to low and middle income pay, following significant reductions in take home pay for public sector workers since 2009, and his decision to implement the new cuts in pay and pensions eight months before the Public Service Agreement 2010 concludes, his views that the LRC sought and agreed by management proposals in effect enact Clause 1.28 of the Croke Park agreement which states the implementation of this agreement is subject to no unforeseen budgetary deterioration. [12351/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

At the instigation of Government, discussions took place between public service employers and the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions regarding the Government’s stated intention to reach agreement on securing a €1bn overall saving from the public service pay and pensions bill by 2015. Following intensive engagement between the parties, which was facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), the LRC has developed and recommended a set of proposals for consideration and agreement. These proposals represent a balanced and integrated set of proposals and avoid the imposition of basic pay cuts to the 87% of public servants on low and middle incomes. As these proposals are intended as the basis for a new Agreement between the Government and the Unions and Associations representing public servants, the issue of Paragraph 1.28 of the earlier Public Service Agreement does not arise.