Average weekly earnings in the public sector (excluding health) rose by 9 per cent in 2001, according to figures compiled by the Central Statistics Office.
The index of average earnings, which excludes some effects of changes in employment composition, rose by 8.9 per cent in the same period.
A total of 230,000 people were employed in the public sector in December 2001 compared to 220,000 in December 2000.
This rise is due to a rise of 4,000 in the education sector, a rise of 2,300 in the semi-state sector, a rise of 2,100 in the civil service and a rise of 1,800 in the regional bodies.