Future public service pay agreement accounted for in FG manifesto costings – Donohoe

Fine Gael Dublin Central candidate and Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, has responded to accusations by Fianna Fail’s Jack Chambers by confirming that the cost of a future public sector pay deal has indeed been included in Fine Gael’s manifesto costings. Minister Donohoe said this provision had been made in the overall Existing Level of Service amount clearly set out in the document.

“Ensuring that we are providing for our public servants and the great work they do is an essential element to any budget or manifesto I am involved in crafting. As is usually the case, that number is captured alongside other amounts to ensure that any future negation is not undermined.

“Fine Gael has provided €15.5bn over 5 years in our manifesto costings to cover the cost of a future public sector pay deal, as well as for changes in demographics and other measures. The work of our public servants is highly valued by Fine Gael. Providing for them in the years ahead has been central to our manifesto arithmetic,” Minister Donohoe concluded.