Public pay rises 1.7% in year to June

Average weekly earnings for the public sector employees rose 1

Average weekly earnings for the public sector employees rose 1.7 per cent in the year to June, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The figures show average pay across all sectors, excluding health, grew from €926.64 to €942.81 in the 12 months to June.

However, the rate of increase does appear to be slowing with earnings rising only 0.2 per cent on the previous quarter and the annual rate dropping from 3.6 per cent in March to 1.7 per cent in June.

The Government is seeking to reduce its public sector payroll bill by 3 per cent by the end of 2009 in an effort to halt the deterioration in public finances.

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The data shows employment in the public sector, excluding health, also rose from 254,000 262,600 or by 8,600 in the year to June.

Employment in the education sector grew from 97,000 to 101,600, an increase of 4,600, during the 12-month period.

In contrast, employment in the health sector decreased from 111,600 in June 2007 to 110,500 in June of this year.