Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2017
120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which salary and wage cuts incurred during the economic downturn continue to be a priority in terms of restoration to the public in line with good practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40735/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the unions that signed up to the various agreements including the Lansdowne Road agreement will not be penalised as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40741/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 126 together.
As the Deputy is aware this Government believes in collective agreements and that the full benefits of a collective agreement should flow to those who subscribe to that agreement.
Under the terms of the Public Service Stability Agreement there are a series of affordable pay increases which will unwind FEMPI pay reductions for all those earning up to €70,000, which is equal to almost 90% of public servants over the period to 2020.
In total the benefits under the Agreement range from 6.2% to 7.4% and again we have weighted these benefits towards those on lower pay.
This Agreement, voted on and endorsed by ICTU, achieves the right balance between addressing the legitimate expectations of public service workers for increases in their pay while ensuring that the Government continues to exercise a prudent approach to the overall management of our public finances while securing industrial peace to support the ongoing delivery of our public services.
The improvements in pay provided for in this Agreement mark another important step in the gradual normalisation of our collective bargaining approach to pay arrangements in the public service through the process of unwinding the FEMPI legal framework on pay that has been in place for the last number of years.
