The draft programme for government, now being considered by members of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, says a coalition Government made up of the three parties would seek to negotiate a new public service pay deal.

The current Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) expires in December.

The draft programme says a new Government’s approach to public service pay would “be guided by the State’s financial position and outlook, challenges in relation to recruitment and retention, and conditions within the broader labour market.”

It acknowledges the “important role” played by public servants, and pledges to ensure that “positive work practice changes” introduced during the Covid-19 emergency are embedded in any new pay deal, along with general productivity gains.

The document says the Government would seek a sectoral bargaining clause in any agreement, although it does not elaborate on this.

In exploratory talks with Government officials prior to the election and coronavirus crisis, Fórsa had argued for a mechanism to allow sectoral and grade claims to be considered as part of any new deal. But there has been no engagement since before the election.

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