Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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314. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the public sector pay increase due on 1 April 2017 will apply to all public sector staff in all positions; if this will apply to political staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6857/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Public Servants on annualised salaries of up to €65,000, who are parties to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, and who do not stand to benefit from the Labour Court Recommendations (CD/16/321 & CD/16/322) issued in respect of the Garda Associations, will have their annualised salaries increased by €1,000 from 1 April 2017 to 31 August 2017. This will benefit approximately 250,000 public servants (whole time equivalents (WTE)).

Under the terms of the Haddington Road Agreement, the additional pay cut imposed on public servants earning over €65,000 is to be restored within a maximum of 18 months from the end of that Agreement.  The Lansdowne Road Agreement, underpinned by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015, provides that, for those on salaries in excess of €65,000 and less than €110,000, restoration will take place in two equal phases on 1 April 2017 and 1 January 2018; and that for those on salaries in excess of €110,000 restoration is to be in three equal phases on 1 April 2017, 1 April 2018 and 1 April 2019.  These measures will apply to Special Advisers as appropriate.  However, notwithstanding these provisions, the Government, in approving the terms of the Lansdowne Road Agreement, decided that Ministers, Ministers of State and Special Advisers on remuneration in excess of €100,000 should not avail on a personal basis of the pay restoration provided for in the FEMPI Act 2015.