The public sector labour forces increased by 7,300 in the twelve months to March with education and health showing the largest increases.
Overall employment in the public sector was 346,200 in March 2005, an increase of 7,300 compared with March 2004, according to the latest survey conducted by the Central Statistics Office.
Employment in education increased from 87,100 to 92,000, employment in the health sector increased from 96,800 to 99,700 while employment in the semi-states fell from 57,400 to 56,100 in the same period.
Average weekly earnings in the public sector (excluding health) rose by 6.2 per cent in the year to March 2005 while average earnings rose by 6.7 per cent for the same period.