Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2022
105. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if public sector pay talks will form part of a wider process similar to previous social partnership agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31247/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic service pay has been governed by a system of collective agreements since the Croke Park Agreement was negotiated in 2010. These collective agreements have helped to ensure that public pay is managed in a sustainable, affordable and orderly manner. These agreements have also enabled significant reform of public services and changes to work practices.
The value of public pay deals to the Government and the taxpayer is ensuring that pay costs are managed in a sustainable and orderly way and in a climate of industrial peace.
The current public service agreement is Building Momentum - A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2022. This Agreement is weighted towards those at lower incomes with headline increases of approximately 5% for the lowest paid public servants. These groups will also benefit more from other measures in the Agreement including the overtime rates and premia payment adjustments.Building Momentum is a two year Agreement, which is due to expire at the end of 2022. As Deputies will be aware, exploratory discussions have taken place between the parties to the Agreement following the triggering of the review clause in Building Momentum by public service unions and associations due to the increasing cost in living. These discussions have now moved to formal phase of discussions which are being facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commissions. As Deputies will appreciate, while these discussions are ongoing it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the detail of those talks which should remain confidential to the parties. However, the inflation and cost of living issues are a feature of those discussions.These are very challenging discussions given the impact high levels of inflation are having on living standards of workers but also because of the uncertainty in the global economic outlook. The aim in these talks will be to strike the right balance and seek to achieve a deal that is fair and affordable to both taxpayers generally and public service employees.An agreement on public service pay could play an important role in underpinning stability, minimising industrial unrest and supporting the continued delivery of reform and quality public services over the period ahead. However, any such agreement would need to reflect the broader economic context and the current fiscal position where significant challenges are emerging.
These discussions will be cognisant of the wider measures already progressed by Government to mitigate the impact of inflation and of the process being undertaken by members of Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) to explore the potential for developing an agreed approach to managing and responding to economic pressures and inflationary challenges in a strategic and sustainable way.
As the Deputy is aware, the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) was established to bring together representatives of employers and trade unions with Government Ministers to exchange views on economic and employment issues as they affect the Labour Market and which are of mutual concern. The LEEF meets on a quarterly basis, with the most recent plenary meeting having taken place on 13 April 2022.
