Senior Civil Servants Demand Pay Deal Reflecting Inflation and Increased Responsibilities

Senior civil servants, represented by the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (AHCPS), convened at their annual conference in Dublin, advocating for a new public sector pay deal. General Secretary Ciarán Rohan stated that managers are asked to do more but are not paid more in real terms, despite significant increases in fuel, food, and daily expenses, and stagnant tax changes.

The union, representing 4,500 members at principal officer (PO) and assistant principal (AP) levels, emphasized that pay is the central issue. Rohan argued that inflation has eroded the benefits of the last national pay deal and stressed the need for competitive pay to prevent recruitment problems, as roles at AP and PO levels are becoming more complex and demanding.

Talks for a new pay deal, affecting approximately 400,000 workers, are expected over the summer, with the current agreement expiring at the end of June. Delegates also opposed government moves to alter blended working practices, citing increased fuel costs, and supported a motion to count unpaid maternity leave for pension purposes. Orla McBreen, the union's executive chairwoman, highlighted that not counting unpaid maternity leave penalizes women and perpetuates the gender pay gap into pensionable years.