Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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316. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all aspects of the Haddington Road and Croke Park agreements have been successfully complied with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18659/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Haddington Road Agreement is comprised of measures which have been implemented through the enactment of legislation and other central measures, and sector specific measures, which are set out in the relevant sectoral agreements. The central measures under the Agreement were, for the most part, fully implemented from 1 July 2013. 

In addition to delivering on monetary targets, a number of reforms and changes to work practices, such as additional working hours, have been implemented since 1 July, 2013. It is the responsibility of managers in all public service bodies, working with staff and their representatives, to ensure that the maximum benefits from the additional hours, both in terms of cost reduction and changes to work practices to build overall productivity, continue to be realised.

Through the Haddington Road Agreement and its predecessor the Croke Park Agreement, together with the FEMPI legislation, public servants have made a significant contribution to the fiscal recovery of the State including by way of direct reductions in pay and pensions.  From 2009 to 2014 the cost to the Exchequer of public service pay was reduced by €3.7 billion, or more than 21%.  As well as reducing the pay and pensions bill, the HRA is a key enabler for the Government's Public Service Reform programme, as set out in the Public Service Reform Plan 2014 2016.

In relation to the Croke Park Agreement, I am satisfied that the Agreement delivered on its objectives, facilitating the delivery of €1.8 billion in cost reductions over its lifetime, a view shared by the Implementation Body in their final report.