The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, has this morning welcomed the proposals issued by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

The proposed pay awards in the agreement are on average in line with increases of between 2% and 2.6% being seen in the private sector. The agreement also proposes the introduction of pension contributions as the Pension Related Deduction is being phased out.

Speaking today, Minister Donohoe said, "These proposals aim to award pay increases for public service staff across the coming years in line with what is affordable to the State, put pension provision on a more sustainable footing and secure industrial peace so that our public service remains a rewarding place for those who work in it and continues to deliver for those who depend on it. I will now take these proposals, which will see the Lansdowne Road Agreement extended, to Government. Arrangements will also be made to put them to ballot across the range of public service sectors to which they apply."

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, today warned that a collective pay agreement between public service unions and government is critical for economic and industrial relations stability. 

Ibec Director of Employer Relations, Maeve McElwee said, "The agreement appears not to have addressed some critical areas, including outsourcing. The absence of dealing with outsourcing is of significant concern and impacts on Ireland’s competitiveness, in particular on the ability to deliver better value, customer focused public services." 

Source: www.businessworld.ie