The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has issued a series of policy proposals to the newly formed minority Government. Policy Priorities for Workers calls on the new administration to address employment law shortcomings and issues in education, health, pensions, housing and homelessness, water, childcare, and the community sector.

ICTU is calling for regularised employment contracts and pay parity in education, along with an enhanced role for Education and Training Boards. It says annual education spending should be at least 7% of GDP, and health spending a minimum 10% of GDP.

Meanwhile, IMPACT’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) branch achieved a “very positive” outcome when the new Government committed an extra €500 million to education, including the recruitment of an extra 238 national educational psychologists – an increase of 25%.

The branch had pressed for an increase in staffing by circulating TDs involved in the formation of the new Government with its report The Way Forward. The union followed up with direct correspondence to the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

Congress calls on the new Government to re-establish an Employer Labour Conference, increase the national minimum wage, and implement the recommendations of the University of Limerick review on low-hour contracts. It also wants all forms of bogus self-employment outlawed.

It backs calls for a referendum to ensure water is kept “in the public realm,” and says the current system of domestic water charges should be replaced with an alternative model for funding the sector.

Read the policy document here.