Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Public Service Pay Commission was established to advise the Government on public service remuneration policy. In the current phase, the second phase of the commission's work, it was tasked by its terms of reference to undertake an examination of whether, and to what extent, there are difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff in important areas of the public service identified in its first report. The commission has adopted a modular approach to its work programme for its present exercise.

As the Deputy will be aware, the first module was published by the commission in August 2018 and deals with issues relating to nursing and midwifery, non-consultant hospital doctors and hospital consultants. The commission is currently engaged in work in respect of the Defence Forces. I understand that written submissions have been received and that on 5 March, oral presentations were made to the commission by both parties. The commission has indicated it expects to complete its work by the end of quarter 2 of 2019. We are in the final phase of the work and should have results in place and published as May and early June approach.

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