Longford/Westmeath Deputy welcomes public pay deal

The agreement reached between Unions and officials at the Department of Public Expenditure on public pay talks has been welcomed by Longford Westmeath Fine Gael Minister, Peter Burke.

Speaking after the deal was reached Minister Burke said: “This important collective agreement will see increases of 10.25% over a two and a half year period. This is 9.25% in pay increases and a 1% local bargaining mechanism. Public Pay increases that are fair and affordable was the objective set by the Government and I feel this has been achieved.”

The Minister of State with responsibility for EU Affairs and Defence said the deal will have significance for the Irish economy: “Agreement on public pay has proven in the past to be a stabilising influence while at the same time it will underpin transformative change within the public service to increase efficiencies and bring about real reform.”

The deal will impact the whole country: “This will put money back in the pockets of Gardai, Teachers, Nurses and other public servants and contribute to continued economic growth.

“The pay measures in the Agreement are weighted towards those on lower incomes. Those on lowest incomes will receive up to 17.3% over the lifetime of this Agreement inclusive of the Local Bargaining provision,2 Minister Burke concluded.