Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
84. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will examine pay and other incentives to encourage people to undertake training in areas of staff shortage in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10738/26]
View answerAs a result of Ireland's robust economic growth, unemployment is low and labour market conditions remain tight. Labour and skills shortages are presenting challenges for employers across the labour market, including the civil and public service.
Despite this, staff numbers in the public service have continued to grow consistently. Between 2015 and Quarter 3 of 2025, the most recent data available to my Department, overall estimated public service numbers in full-time equivalent terms increased by over 37% from 302,000 to 414,189.
The public service is a good employer and continues to offer competitive pay and other terms and conditions to attract and retain staff, including flexible working arrangements, opportunities for continuous professional development, pension provision and secure employment.
In the case of recruitment policy in the civil service, for which I have policy responsibility, my Department works closely with the Public Appointments Service and other Government Departments to achieve the objectives set out by the plans under the Civil Service Renewal 2030 and Better Public Services Strategy to ensure that the State remains an employer of choice.
In relation to remuneration, pay in the public service has been governed by a system of collective agreements since the negotiation of the Croke Park Agreement in 2010.
The current public service pay agreement – Public Service Agreement 2024 provides for general round increases of 9.25% over a two-and-a-half-year period and a provision for a Local Bargaining mechanism equivalent to 1% of the basic pay cost. The total cost of the Agreement is approximately €3.6 billion.
To date, public servants have benefited from general round increases totalling 8.25% under the PSA 2024 - 2026. There was an increase of 1% or €500 on 1 February of this year and one further general round of 1% for all public servants is due on 1 June.
For over fifteen years successive public service agreements have enabled significant reform of public services and changes to work practices. In relation to training the current Agreement places a strong emphasis on developing a skilled, agile and future-ready workforce. It includes commitments to strengthening digital capability and supporting greater workforce adaptability. In addition, the Agreement promotes flexible workforce models that match staff skills to emerging service needs, including the development of temporary assignment schemes where particular skills are required.
The current Agreement expires at end-June 2026. In accordance with the Programme for Government, Government and public service staff representatives will be due to enter into discussions later this year on the potential for a successor agreement. In line with all public service agreements, I expect these talks will also include consideration of public service reform.
More generally, in relation to training the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) is the Centre of Excellence for learning and development in the Public Service. The IPA works in collaboration with my Department to ensure learning and development is aligned to Government priorities and skills requirements. An expansion of digital learning, leadership support, and learning pathways for the wider public service is an ongoing programme of work for the IPA as part of meeting the objectives of the Better Public Services 2030 Transformation Strategy.
Increasing the availability of apprenticeships in the public service is a key priority for my Department. The Public Service Apprenticeship Plan (PSAP), which is currently under review, was launched in 2023 as a key deliverable under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. The Plan was implemented in conjunction with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, with a target of 750 public service apprentice registrations per year by 2025. Increasing Civil and Public Service apprenticeships remains a commitment under the Programme for Government.
