Minister Donohoe welcomes ICTU endorsement of Pay Deal

The Minister of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe has today (Monday 25th March 2024), welcomed the decision of the Public Service Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions today to accept the new Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.

The Agreement provides for increases of 10.25% over a two and a half year period. This is made up of pay increases totalling 9.25%, as well as a provision for a Local Bargaining mechanism equivalent to 1% of pay.

Remarking on the result, the Minister said

"I believe the Agreement achieves a balanced approach to public service pay that rewards the ongoing effort of public servants, while ensuring the responsible management of public finances.

"Public Service agreements have an important place in public service industrial relations. These agreements ensure we can deal with public pay issues in a fair, equitable and affordable way in the interests of both public servants and the taxpayer. This Agreement recognises the importance to reward the hard work and dedication of the public service which plays a vital role in our society.

"The Agreement continues to underpin the ongoing transformation of our public services, allowing reform to continue in a collaborative and cooperative way.

"I look forward to working constructively with ICTU to progress the implementation of the various measures in this Agreement in support of the delivery of quality public services."

The full text of the agreement is available here .

Notes for Editors

The Agreement runs for two and a half years and the total cost amounts to €3.6 billion.

The pay measures in the Agreement are weighted towards those on lower incomes. The minimum increases provided for ensure that those earning under €50,000 will see increases of at least €3,125, as well as the remaining general round increases of 3%. In total, the lowest paid public servants will receive up to 17.3% over the lifetime of the Agreement, inclusive of local bargaining. .

The Agreement also provides for a Local Bargaining process. This mechanism will provide an avenue by which employers and grades, groups and categories of public servants can address issues involving changes in structures, work practices or other conditions of service.

The parties will be able to bring forward proposals, up to a maximum value equivalent to 3% of basic pay. The first instalment, equivalent to 1% of the basic pay cost, will be implemented on 1 September 2025 and the balance will fall to be addressed in any successor pay agreement.

The Agreement provides for that industrial peace will be maintained and that there will be no additional cost increasing claims outside of the agreed Local Bargaining Process.

The Agreement builds on the achievements and momentum of reform delivered through previous public service agreements. It allows for on-going co-operation with change and productivity improvements, whilst also providing for industrial peace for the next two and a half years.

The principle of pay parity in pension increases for pre-existing schemes has already been agreed for the lifetime of the new Agreement.

Pay Measures

2024

• A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 2.25% or €1,125, whichever is greater, on 1 January 2024.

• A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% on 1 June 2024.

• A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2024.

2025

• A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 2% or €1,000, whichever is greater, on 1 March 2025.

• A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% on 1 August 2025.

2026

• A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1 February 2026.

• A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% on 1 June 2026.