Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 19: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will guarantee that increments and allowances which are enshrined in the contracts of low and middle income public servants will continue be paid. [32440/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government has reaffirmed the key commitments under the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 in relation to pay and job security for serving public servants. These commitments are contingent on delivery of the necessary flexibilities and reforms to public service delivery that are required under the Agreement. The Budget process has outlined the Exchequer expenditure programme for 2012 and the necessary allocations have been made to Departments. Any further Budgetary measures, should they arise, are a matter for consideration by Government. The vast majority of persons who are on incremental pay scales are the lower paid and people who have been recruited to the public service more recently. I reiterate my view that there are fairer ways to control the cost of public pay, given that only a proportion of public servants, in particular lower paid and front line staff, would be affected by a suspension of increments.