Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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350. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of restoring entry level pay scales to pre-FEMPI levels, for example, equal pay for newly qualified teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28983/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The 10% reductions in starting pay for certain new entrants were introduced in January 2011 as part of the National Recovery Plan in order to reduce the Public Service Pay Bill by the then Government.

The issue of addressing the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants, who entered public service employment since 2011 and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA). From 1 November 2013 pre and post-2011 pay scales were merged into a single consolidated scale applicable to each grade. Generally, the third point of 1 November 2013 payscale is equivalent to the first point of the pre 2011 scale. Guidelines in relation to the merging of the scales are available on my Departments website .

In addition, the Lansdowne Road Agreement has provided the flexibility to address particular sectoral issues such as the restoration of supervision and substitution payments and new entrant payments in the Education Sector and the restoration of rent allowances to new entrant firefighters and members of An Garda Síochána.

Indicative estimates of the total cost of moving all staff hired on new entrant scales up two increment points would be over €209m excluding any cost in respect of retrospective payment.

Following consideration of the Public Service Pay Commission's published report by the Government, public service unions and staff representative associations were invited to engage with public service employers led by officials of my Department, on the negotiation and agreement of an extension to the Lansdowne Road Agreement.  These discussions commenced on the 22 May and concluded on the 8thJune last.  The outcome to these discussions, facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission, is available on the DPER website .

The terms of the proposals, commended to both parties by the Workplace Relations Commission, includes a reference to the new entrant issue at Paragraph 4. This provision acknowledges issues of concern on this matter and  provides for an examination of the remaining salary scale issues to be undertaken within 12 months of the commencement of the proposed Agreement.