Following extensive engagement with AOs, Fórsa brought a claim to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform seeking to have the ‘waiting time’ that an AO must serve in their grade reduced from 3 years to 2 before they become eligible to be considered for a Higher Scales post. In other grades, such as EO and HEO, the ‘waiting time’ is 2 years, the 3-year period having been decided in 1995 when the AO grade was very different and assumed that new AOs were new graduates without workplace experience.

In their response, DPER stated: “Following receipt of this Claim, data was procured from the NSSO. This data indicates a significant cost associated with reducing the required period of service from 3 year to 2 years. In that context, it is important to note this claim is cost-increasing.”

Forsa has sought more information on how this conclusion was reached. Assistant General Secretary Seán Carabini said: “We can’t understand this. We are not seeking additional higher scales posts. We are simply trying to bring the ‘waiting time’ for the grade in line with other grades. This won’t in any way impact the 30% higher scales quotient.”

In relation to next steps, he stated: “We will look at the rationale behind the DPER figures. But as things stand, we’re going to have to challenge this. The role of the AO has changed and the rationale behind the 3-year waiting period has changed with it. This shouldn’t be a big ask.”