Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2017
151. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to examine issues related to the salary scale of new entrants; the number of meetings that have taken place in relation to same; the persons that attended; the business carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50653/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of addressing the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants, who entered public service employment since 2011 and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA). From 1 November 2013 pre and post-2011 pay scales were merged into a single consolidated scale applicable to each grade. Generally, the third point of 1 November 2013 payscale is equivalent to the first point of the pre 2011 scale.
Guidelines in relation to the merging of the scales are available on my Departments website www.per.gov.ie/en/haddington-road-agreement/.
It should be noted that under the new Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 which has recently been ratified by the Public Services Committee of the ICTU, pay increases range from 7.4 per cent to 6.2 per cent over three years, are progressive and will therefore favour new entrants.
The PSSA also recognises the issues of concern in relation to the salaries of new entrants and commits all parties to an examination of these matters within 12 months of the commencement of the Agreement. The first, exploratory meeting, with the full complement of Trade Unions and staff associations, took place on the 12th of October. This meeting, based on the contributions of all parties, agreed an outline process of oversight and data gathering. This process will be overseen by the Oversight Body for the PSSA. Further engagement will be undertaken over the coming months with those parties that have signed up to the Agreement.
