Intensive discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Sector Reform and Digitalisation (DPER) are underway on claims submitted by Fórsa as part of ‘local bargaining’.

This type of collective bargaining is part of the Public Sector Agreement 2024-2026. It allows grades, groups or categories to negotiate claims up to 3% of overall payroll costs.  The first phase of this was due to be paid from 1st September 2025, with a further second phase payable after the expiry of the current agreement in June 2026. 

Fórsa has lodged three cross sectoral ‘core’ claims and numerous sector specific claims on behalf of members across all divisions of the union. 

The discussions currently ongoing are focused on the Clerical Officer or grade 3 equivalent roles claim and the Executive Officer, Administrative Officer, Higher Executive Officer or grade 4-7 equivalent roles claim.  

Several scenarios have been costed by the Department. Deputy general secretary and head of the civil service division Éamonn Donnelly explained the process, underlining how important members’ involvement is.  

He said: “Members shaped these claims through the surveys and consultations we carried out. Now that we have seen the Department’s costings, we need to assess how exactly we can achieve the approach favoured by members, which focused on shortening the journey it takes to move up scales and rewarding long service.” 

“After reviewing the costings, it is clear that there are different paths to 1% of payroll costs numerically, and so different scenarios are under consideration. When we have a clear offer on the table, there will be a ballot of members.” 

“Right now, we are talking about the Clerical Officer and equivalent grades claim because the scales are identical across sectors so we can take a singular approach. As rates of pay vary between the civil service and public sector for other grades, we may have to adapt our approach with those other claims.” 

Further meetings are due to take place shortly, after which members will be informed of next steps.  

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