Written answers
Thursday, 13 February 2025
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Public Sector Staff
Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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109. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he is considering to address the issue of staff and skill shortages in the public service. [5010/25]
Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In Ireland unemployment is low and labour market conditions have tightened as a result of our economic growth in recent years. Labour and skills gaps present challenges for employers across the labour market, including the civil and public service.
Despite this, staff numbers in the public sector have continued to grow consistently. Between 2015 and September 2024, the estimated numbers in full-time equivalent terms increased by over one-third, from 301,589 to 405,369. According to the latest data available, by September 2024, the public service numbers had increased by 2.1% over the end of 2023 numbers.
Further public service staffing increases have been provided for this year, with the end-2024 public service employee numbers forecast at over 407,200, including local authority and Oireachtas staff.
Budget 2025 included provision for a range of additional public service staff, including for example:
- An increase of nearly 8,800 full time equivalents in Health, largely in the HSE,
- 1,600 SNAs and 768 Special Education Teachers, and
- 322 new Garda.
Furthermore, staff recruitment and retention are influenced by a broad range of factors. Pay in the public service has been governed by a system of collective agreements since the negotiation of the Croke Park Agreement in 2010.
Public Service Agreement 2024 to 2026 builds on the approach taken in previous Agreements and seeks to ensure that the lowest paid public servants see the greatest percentage benefit from the pay measures provided for. Over the lifetime of the Agreement, the lowest paid public servants will see benefits of up to 17.3%, inclusive of the Local Bargaining provision.
In total, the Agreement provides for headline increases of 10.25% over a two and a half year period. This is made up of general round increases totalling 9.25%, as well as a provision for a Local Bargaining mechanism equivalent to 1% of the basic pay cost.
Minimum increases are attached to 4 of the 7 general round increases provided over the two and a half year period covered by the agreement.
The total cost of the Agreement amounts to €3.6 billion.
The following pay adjustments apply over the lifetime of this Agreement:
2024
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 2.25% or €1,125, whichever is greater, on 1 January 2024.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% on 1 June 2024.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2024.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 2% or €1,000, whichever is greater, on 1 March 2025.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% on 1 August 2025.
- 2026
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1 February 2026.
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