Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister knows, in our confidence and supply arrangement we insisted on a public pay commission to respond with recommendations following analysis of costs associated with pay equalisation, especially for new entrants since 2011. We recognise that the Government has finally committed to a pathway to deal with this process. It is a matter for the Minister to consider also the recommendations of the commission on issues and difficulties with recruitment and retention of staff, particularly in the health service, health consultants and the Air Corps. When does the Minister expect the commission to conclude its work? When will he be able to make recommendations to the Cabinet on foot of that, notwithstanding the issues relating to prudence over the associated economic cost? Now that the cost has been established, will the process be put in place?

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