Workers in the community and voluntary sector are soon due to receive the latest round of pay increases outlined in a pay agreement reached last year. 

Fórsa members working in the community and voluntary sector (in Section 10, 39, 40 and 56 funded organisations) approved the terms of the pay agreement in a ballot, which followed lengthy negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).  

The agreement also established a joint implementation group (JIG) to monitor application of the agreement and resolve any issues should they arise, and a coordinate a sector‑wide data gathering exercise on pay.  

Over the past year, Fórsa representatives have been attending regular meetings of the group, which brings together unions, employers and government departments. At the most recent JIG meeting, it became clear that several of the funding departments had not made arrangements in order to pay staff the place the 2% pay increase due from 1 April 2026. 

Fórsa representatives expressed strong frustration that workers could face delays receiving this increase, particularly given the escalating cost of living crisis. 

Thanks to this intervention by unions, the funding departments confirmed that the necessary arrangements are now being made. While arrangements vary across departments, the 2% increase should be paid no later than June and will be fully backdated to 1 April 2026.  

Fórsa official Louise O’Hara said: “The JIG has proven to be an effective forum for addressing cases where the agreement has been misapplied, as well as for improving transparency around funding timelines and delays. Any delay in getting workers the pay raises they are entitled to is unacceptable, so we were pleased to be able to intervene in timely manner and minimise the delay in this instance.” 

The sector wide data gathering exercise is now underway. All organisations in the Community & Voluntary sector have been asked by funding departments to submit information on staffing levels and pay rates by Friday 1st May. 

Louise said: “This data is critical to informing future pay improvements across the sector. While the 2025 agreement was significant and delivered cumulative increases of 17.25 % there is still significant work to be done to ensure that pay in the sector is fair. We’re encouraging members to check with their HR departments to confirm that this information has been submitted before the deadline.” 

The 2025 pay agreement reached provides for the following increases: 

• 2.25% backdated to 1 October 2024 
• 1% from 1 April 2025 
• 2% from 1 November 2025 
• 2% from 1 April 2026 
• 2% from 1 October 2026 

Any member encountering delays related to pay increases should contact their branch in the first instance, or email healthandwelfareinfo@forsa.ie.  

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