Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is worth pointing out to the Deputy that differences in pay for new entrants to those who are already working in the area for a considerable period are not unheard of in other parts of the economy and it is not confined to the public service - would that it were. The reality is that there have been big changes in the way people are paid in the private sector and one of those features has been lower entry rates for graduates. I am sure Deputy Boyd Barrett speaks to graduates and is aware that the typical entry rate for graduates is quite low and competitive at present. I recognise that in the recession difficult decisions were taken, including a reduction in the pay for new entrants. That was seen as a way of being able to bring some people in, albeit at lower pay. We recognise that it is an irritant for members of the public service but we sat down and negotiated with those members - people who have committed to the Lansdowne Road agreement - and we have restored substantial amounts of that money. I recognise that the issue will be on the agenda for a successor agreement and we will continue to negotiate with public servants who have taken a lot of cuts and experienced difficulties in order to manage the issue. We must have regard to the broader context in the sense that we have other responsibilities to meet as well.

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