Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I was going to say before I had to conclude, there is a local bargaining provision that allows management and unions to negotiate changes to pay and terms and conditions up to a maximum of 3% of pay costs for the relevant grade. The first instalment under this provision, equivalent to 1% of pay costs, is due to be implemented from 1 September 2025 and negotiations are commencing at local level across the public service.

This agreement, like its predecessor, is weighted towards lower paid public servants. Over the lifetime of the agreement, the lowest paid public servants will see cumulative benefits of up to 17.3%, inclusive of the local bargaining provision, compared with the standard benefits of 10.25%.

The Deputy asked about housing. This is why the State's overall investment in housing as part of the national development plan is critical. Last year during the budgetary process, we advanced the expansion of the renter's tax credit to respond to the relative price of rent in the economy. That will be a continued focus for the Government in the national development plan and through the budgetary process.

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