Written answer
Public Sector Pay
The Minister committed to meaningful union negotiations on a fair, affordable pay agreement; planned industrial action was averted and formal talks have begun.
50. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to clarify his position on the public sector pay agreement. [74872/26]
Comment on this
55. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will meet with unions and address public sector pay issues as a matter of urgency. [73969/26]
Comment on this
64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation given recent public sector pay strikes, if he will consider further increases to public sector pay to keep ahead of inflation. [73968/26]
Comment on this
82. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will commit to meaningful public sector pay talks with the unions representing public sector workers. [74851/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 55, 64 and 82 together.
I have always been, and remain, committed to meaningful engagement with public service unions and staff associations in relation to a successor Public Service Pay Agreement.
I am very pleased that, following intensive engagement in recent days, industrial action scheduled for 21 October 2026 has been averted.
In this regard, I am appreciative of the efforts of Mr Kevin Foley, as chair, as well as Mr Owen Reidy and Ms Oonagh Buckley in engaging with both parties to identify a pathway back to formal negotiations.
The first formal engagement between the parties took place in the Workplace Relations Commission on 19 October 2026. This represents a constructive step forward and will support efforts to secure a new agreement. There is now a genuine opportunity to make progress through constructive engagement and a shared commitment to dialogue.
I recognise the significant contribution made by public service workers to our society and our country. They are the backbone of our healthcare, social care, education, policing and many other essential services. The Government is committed to negotiating a pay agreement that is fair, affordable and sustainable. However, given the confidential nature of the process, I am not in a position to comment further on the substance of the ongoing discussions or the terms of any potential agreement.