Following negotiations between the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and an ICTU led group of unions representing workers in the Community Employment sector, a new pay deal was agreed on Wednesday 30th April. 

An interim pay deal, which was approved by members in a ballot late last year, included an agreement that unions and the department would re-enter talks at an early date this year. 

This new agreement is a result of those talks. The pay increases on the table amount to 5.25% to be paid across 2025, with an initial 3.25% increase backdated to February, and a further 2% increase, which would be effective from the 1st of November.  

The terms of the agreement apply to all CE Supervisor members, and members working at the Tús initiative, the Rural Social Scheme and the Job Initiative scheme 

A ballot of members opened on Wednesday 7th May and will close at midday on Wednesday 21st May.  Eligible members should have received a unique voting code (UVC) from Mi-Voice. If you have not received your code, please contact your branch. 

Fórsa official Deirdre O’Connell welcomed the agreement and outlined that an additional issue has also been addressed. 

She said: “This agreement will go further towards supporting CE supervisors who play a vital role in managing Community Employment schemes around the country. We have also been seeking resolution to an outstanding pay issue for assistant CE supervisors, who did not benefit from the full percentage increase from the previous agreement in 2024. This will now be remedied by DSP. Any member impacted by this should contact the branch for further detail.”