---
title: "Ireland's Draft Public Pay Deal Gives 10.75% Over 33 Months"
canonical: "https://www.metaintro.com/blog/ireland-public-sector-pay-deal-10-75-percent"
language: "en"
author: "drashtigarach"
published: "2026-11-11T14:37:18.000Z"
modified: "2026-11-11T14:37:18.000Z"
---

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# Ireland's Draft Public Pay Deal Gives 10.75% Over 33 Months, and Lower-Paid Staff Gain the Most

Ireland's draft public pay deal gives 10.75% over 33 months and up to 18.3% for the lowest paid. See every pay date, who gains most and when ballots close.

[![Drashti Garach](https://cdn.metaintro.com/rs:fill:40:40/q:72/plain/images/5719d740-e510-42bc-8017-e040d145f35f_1766029465094.png)Drashti Garach @DrashtiGarach](/blog/author/drashtigarach)

[November 11, 2026](/blog/archive/2026/11)13 min read

![Nurse in scrubs updating a chart at a sunlit ward station in an Irish hospital, side view](https://cdn.metaintro.com/rs:fill:1200:675/q:78/plain/images/10828.jpg)

[https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Ireland's%20Draft%20Public%20Pay%20Deal%20Gives%2010.75%25%20Over%2033%20Months%2C%20and%20Lower-Paid%20Staff%20Gain%20the%20Most&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fireland-public-sector-pay-deal-10-75-percent](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Ireland's%20Draft%20Public%20Pay%20Deal%20Gives%2010.75%25%20Over%2033%20Months%2C%20and%20Lower-Paid%20Staff%20Gain%20the%20Most&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fireland-public-sector-pay-deal-10-75-percent)[http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fireland-public-sector-pay-deal-10-75-percent](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fireland-public-sector-pay-deal-10-75-percent)[https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fireland-public-sector-pay-deal-10-75-percent&title=Ireland's%20Draft%20Public%20Pay%20Deal%20Gives%2010.75%25%20Over%2033%20Months%2C%20and%20Lower-Paid%20Staff%20Gain%20the%20Most](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fireland-public-sector-pay-deal-10-75-percent&title=Ireland's%20Draft%20Public%20Pay%20Deal%20Gives%2010.75%25%20Over%2033%20Months%2C%20and%20Lower-Paid%20Staff%20Gain%20the%20Most)[mailto:?subject=Ireland's%20Draft%20Public%20Pay%20Deal%20Gives%2010.75%25%20Over%2033%20Months%2C%20and%20Lower-Paid%20Staff%20Gain%20the%20Most&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fireland-public-sector-pay-deal-10-75-percent](mailto:?subject=Ireland's%20Draft%20Public%20Pay%20Deal%20Gives%2010.75%25%20Over%2033%20Months%2C%20and%20Lower-Paid%20Staff%20Gain%20the%20Most&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fireland-public-sector-pay-deal-10-75-percent)

Irish public servants have a [draft agreement that provides for increases of 10.75% over a 33-month period](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/), and the lowest paid would get the most out of it. The [pay measures are weighted towards lower paid public servants](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/), so those on the lowest incomes would receive up to 18.3% while the minimum benefit for public servants is 11.3%. Talks at the [Workplace Relations Commission concluded at around 3.30am](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/), and unions were asked to [suspend Thursday’s national strike](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/). Nothing is final yet. The proposals go to [Government for approval and then to union ballots](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/). For [Metaintro](https://www.metaintro.com) readers who work in the Irish public service or hope to join it, this guide sets out every pay date, which grades gain the most, how the deal compares with the last one and what it means for anyone applying for a State job.

## What Is in Ireland's Draft Public Pay Deal?

The headline figure has two parts. The 10.75% is made up of [general round increases of 9.75% and a 1% payment for the next phase of Local Bargaining](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/). Local bargaining is a [mechanism for addressing outstanding issues in individual sectors](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-pay-deal-whats-in-it-for-me/), and that money is not always shared equally across all staff.

The deal runs from [1 July 2026 to 31 March 2029 and the total cost amounts to €5.2 billion](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) (about $5.82 billion), with the costs spread across five budgets. The start date picks up where the old deal stopped, as the [last agreement expired in July](https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/1110/1598605-public-pay-deal-analysis/).

The deal covers a large workforce. Pay increases of at least 10.75% would go to [more than 400,000 workers by the end of March 2029](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/), on the Irish Times count. The number of public sector workers rose [from 301,000 in 2015 to 424,000 in 2026](https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/1110/1598605-public-pay-deal-analysis/), and public sector pay accounts for [one-third, or €34bn](https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/1110/1598605-public-pay-deal-analysis/) (about $38 billion), of this year's day-to-day spending.

This agreement replaces an offer that unions had not yet accepted. Before the final round of talks, the revised offer [could be worth between 10.5% and 11%, with lower-paid workers receiving pay increases of up to 17.8%](https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41935686.html). The final draft goes further for the lowest paid, with [those on the lowest incomes](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/) getting the top rate set out in the comparison below.

## When Does Each Pay Rise Land?

The general increases come in [eight individual instalments](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/), and the 1% local bargaining payment is made separately. These are the dates and amounts on [the Government's published pay schedule](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/), with US dollar figures added.

- [1 September 2026, 2% or €1,200, whichever is greater](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) (about $1,342).
- [April 2027, a general round increase of 1%](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).
- [1 August 2027, 1% or €600, whichever is greater](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) (about $671).
- [1 November 2027, 1.5% or €900, whichever is greater](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) (about $1,007).
- [1 March 2028, a general round increase of 1%](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).
- [1 June 2028, 1% or €600, whichever is greater](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) (about $671).
- [1 October 2028, a general round increase of 1%](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).
- [1 March 2029, a local bargaining instalment equivalent to 1% of the basic pay cost](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).
- [2 March 2029, 1.25% or €750, whichever is greater](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) (about $839).

The first increase would be [backdated to September 1st, 2026](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-pay-deal-whats-in-it-for-me/), so staff would get a catch-up payment for the months already worked if members vote yes. The [final phase of local bargaining](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/) will be implemented during the lifetime of the next agreement, so it is not part of this one.

## Why Do Lower-Paid Staff Gain the Most?

The answer is the flat minimum payments. Five of the eight general round increases set a [specified minimum amount to be paid, meaning those earning less than €60,000 a year](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/) (about $67,122) get a greater increase in percentage terms. A fixed [€1,200](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) (about $1,342) is a larger share of a small salary than of a big one, so the flat amounts lift lower salaries faster.

The threshold for the lower-pay provisions also moves up. It would rise [from €50,000 to €60,000](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/) (about $55,935 to $67,122), so more staff fall inside the band where the flat minimums beat the percentage rise.

A worked example shows the effect. For a [clerical officer or other employee earning €35,000 annually, the first increase would be about 3.4 per cent](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/) (€35,000 is about $39,154), and the whole deal would be [worth about 16 per cent to a worker on that level of pay](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/). That figure is for a salary at that level, which is a different measure from the Government's examples of [starting pay by grade](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) listed below. Separately, Minister Jack Chambers said the minimum value for public sector workers would be [11.3%, which is due to the compounding nature of the pay rises](https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41936061.html).

> What we have managed to achieve with the better rates for those earning below €60,000 is, I think, an important win for young workers, Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said, according to [the Irish Times strike report](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/).

## Which Jobs Get the Biggest Rise in Starting Pay?

The Government published examples by grade, and the list shows who gains most. These are the cumulative changes to starting pay over the agreement on [the Government's list of examples](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).

- Cleaner, [18.3% over the course of the agreement](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).
- Special needs assistant, [starting pay would increase 17.2%](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).
- Clerical Officer in the Civil Service, [an increase of 17.1% over the agreement](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).
- General Operative or Healthcare Assistant, [increases to starting pay of 15.4%](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).
- Garda, [starting pay would increase by 14.6%](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).
- Enhanced Nurse, [a cumulative benefit of 13.3%](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).
- Primary Teacher and Secondary Teacher, [13.1% and 12.8% respectively](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).

Union leaders link this to younger staff. [SIPTU Deputy General Secretary Adrian Kane](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/) said the deal is "[skewed and very much weighted for lower and moderately paid people, which are younger people by and large](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/)."

## How Does This Deal Compare With the Last One?

The previous agreement was smaller and shorter. The [Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 provided for increases of 10.25% over a two and a half year period](https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93217-minister-donohoe-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-pay-agreement-for-the-public-service), made up of 9.25% in pay increases and a 1% local bargaining provision. That deal cost [€3.6 billion spread over 4 Budget years](https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93217-minister-donohoe-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-pay-agreement-for-the-public-service) (about $4.03 billion).

The lower-paid tilt is not new, but it is bigger this time. Under the 2024 deal, those on the lowest incomes would get [up to 17.3% over the lifetime of this Agreement](https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93217-minister-donohoe-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-pay-agreement-for-the-public-service). The new draft offers the lowest paid [up to 18.3% over the lifetime of this Agreement inclusive of the Local Bargaining provision](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).

The first instalment has a higher flat minimum but a lower percentage. The 2024 deal opened with [2.25% or €1,125, whichever is greater, on 1 January 2024](https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93217-minister-donohoe-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-pay-agreement-for-the-public-service) (about $1,259), against [2% or €1,200, whichever is greater](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) (about $1,342) in the new draft. One reason the new deal costs more is that [the number of public servants increased by 27,000](https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/1110/1598605-public-pay-deal-analysis/) since the last agreement began in early 2024.

## Will the Pay Rise Beat Inflation?

On [Central Bank forecasts](https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/1110/1598605-public-pay-deal-analysis/), only just. The [Central Bank predicts the rise in the cost of living will be 3.4% on average for this year, 3.1% next year and 2% in 2028](https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/1110/1598605-public-pay-deal-analysis/), and inflation is [currently running at 4%](https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/1110/1598605-public-pay-deal-analysis/). In its analysis of the Government's 10.75% offer, RTÉ said that if those projections are correct, the deal would [keep public sector pay just ahead of inflation](https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/1110/1598605-public-pay-deal-analysis/).

Two deals overlap this year. If the offer is accepted by unions and combined with the previous agreement, it would give workers [a 4% pay rise this year](https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/1110/1598605-public-pay-deal-analysis/).

Unions also won a safety valve. Kevin Callinan said that "[one of the important things in the agreement is that there is a review clause in the event that inflation was to spike again](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/)."

> The proposed agreement is fiscally sustainable and consistent with the Government’s medium term fiscal and expenditure plan, providing certainty for public servants as well as the Government and public service users over the period covered by the agreement, Minister Jack Chambers said, according to [the Government press release](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).

## What Happens Next, and When Would the Money Arrive?

The strike is suspended, not cancelled. The [Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/) recommended that unions suspend strike action and other industrial action, including ongoing work-to-rules, so unions can consider the document and arrange ballots. The planned 24-hour stoppage [would have affected schools, health services and government offices](https://www.thejournal.ie/public-sector-strike-pay-deal-7221091-Nov2026/).

The draft now goes through three steps. National executives of the [19 public services unions](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-pay-deal-whats-in-it-for-me/) will consider it over the coming days, [the Government must approve it](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/), and members then vote. Ballots are due to [conclude early in the week beginning 7 December](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/), with an [overall result expected during the second week of December](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/).

If members vote yes, the [first increases would likely start being paid in January](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/), and the backdating to September would mean modest lump sum payments after Christmas. The final word rests with members. [INMO](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/) General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said "[ultimately the deciders of whether it is a good agreement of otherwise is those that will have a vote](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/)."

## What Else Is in the Deal Besides Pay?

The non-pay terms matter for anyone weighing a public service career. Union officials pointed to [strengthened provisions on outsourcing, consultation, new protocols around decision-making on hybrid working, guarantees against compulsory redundancy](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/), procurement and career development opportunities in education.

The employer side gets commitments too. These include [co-operation with the integration of AI and changed work practices](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/), and the deal is described as [supporting innovation, digital transformation and greater flexibility in how services are delivered](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/).

Local bargaining gives some grades a separate route. The mechanism lets [employers and grades, groups and categories of public servants address issues involving changes in structures, work practices or other conditions of service](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/). In education, [INTO](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/) General Secretary John Boyle said there are [measures in the agreement aimed at addressing recruitment and retention issues](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/).

## What Does the Deal Mean for People Applying for Public Service Jobs?

The Government's examples are all [starting pay](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) figures, which is the point on the scale where new entrants join. Here is what [publicjobs.ie](https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/) lists for three routes in.

The Garda trainee route shows the starting point clearly. Trainees get [a weekly allowance of €354 for the 36 weeks of training](https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/information-hub/garda-trainee) (about $396), then begin on [a base salary of €39,194, rising incrementally to €60,333 a year after 8 years with further increments to follow](https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/information-hub/garda-trainee) (about $43,846 rising to about $67,494). Garda starting pay is one of the grades on [the Government's list of examples](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) above.

For administrative work, a [Temporary Clerical Officer in the Civil and Public Service 2027 Nationwide](https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/) competition is listed on publicjobs.ie's current jobs board with a closing date of 19/11/2026. Starting pay for a [Clerical Officer in the Civil Service](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) is one of the larger rises in the draft, though the Government's examples do not mention temporary clerical posts.

Middle managers sit right at the dividing line. The Higher Executive Officer competition lists a [salary starting at €60,029](https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/higher-executive-officer-in-the-civil-service-2026/higher-executive-officer-in-the-civil-service) (about $67,154), and the flat minimums favour those [earning less than €60,000 a year](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/) (about $67,122). That competition [closed on Thursday, 10th September 2026](https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/higher-executive-officer-in-the-civil-service-2026/higher-executive-officer-in-the-civil-service), with Stage 1 results due at the end of November. It is expected to [be active for a two-year period](https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/higher-executive-officer-in-the-civil-service-2026/higher-executive-officer-in-the-civil-service), so candidates can be called forward over that time.

## What This Means for Job Seekers, and What Should You Do Next?

The point for job seekers is that this deal pays most at the bottom of the scale, where new entrants start. The grades with the largest rises on [the Government's list](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) are cleaners, special needs assistants and clerical officers. That makes those entry roles more rewarding than the [headline 10.75%](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) suggests, because a new starter's percentage gain on that list is well above the headline figure. If you are weighing a State role against a similar private job, compare the whole path, since the draft spreads its rises between [September 2026 and March 2029](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/) rather than paying one rise.

Pay outside the State sector is moving too, from [Ireland's January minimum wage rise](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/ireland-minimum-wage-14-94-budget-2027) to [Amazon's higher Irish starting pay](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/amazon-ireland-starting-pay-35568-euro-dublin-jobs), so set any State offer against both before you decide.

- **Treat it as a draft.** The rises only take effect if the deal passes [Government approval and union ballots](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/), so do not budget on the backdated sum before the December result.
- **Apply on the current scale.** The Temporary Clerical Officer round on [the publicjobs homepage](https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/) closes before the [overall result of the ballots expected during the second week of December](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/), so waiting for the vote would mean missing it.
- **Check where your salary sits.** If you earn under the [threshold for the lower-pay provisions](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/), the flat minimums apply to you and your percentage gain is higher.

Lacey Kaelani, [Metaintro](https://www.metaintro.com)'s CEO, puts it this way: A pay deal that is still going to a vote is no reason to wait. Apply on today's scale, get into the grade, and let any rise reach you once you are already in the door.

## Related Articles

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- [How Broadway's Cleaners Won a Better Deal Without Walking Out](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/broadway-cleaners-32bj-union-deal-no-strike-2026)
- [How to Compare Total Compensation Not Just Salary](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/compare-total-compensation-not-just-salary)
- [How to Negotiate a Job Offer After You Have It in Writing](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/how-to-negotiate-a-job-offer)
- [Euro-Zone Wages Are Rising Fast, What It Signals for U.S. Workers](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/euro-zone-wages-rising-us-workers-impact-2026)
- [Why Your Annual Salary Review Is Already Obsolete, and What Smart Workers Do Instead](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/always-on-compensation-conversations-salary-review)
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- [BHP Port Workers Are Striking Over Pay, and It Signals Rising Worker Leverage](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/bhp-strike-mining-pay-port-hedland-2026)
- [How Administrative Assistants Are Turning AI Into a Career Lifeline](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/admin-assistant-jobs-ai-2026-stay-ahead)

## People Also Asked

### Q: How much is Ireland's new public sector pay deal worth?

A: The draft provides for [increases of 10.75% over a 33-month period](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-welcomes-proposals-on-a-new-collective-agreement-for-the-public-service/), at a [total cost of €5.2 billion](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-pay-deal-whats-in-it-for-me/) (about $5.82 billion) from July 2026 to March 2029.

### Q: Is the public sector strike in Ireland cancelled?

A: The strike is suspended, after the ICTU Public Services Committee recommended that unions [suspend strike action and other industrial action, including ongoing work-to-rules](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598773-public-sector-pay-deal/), while members consider the deal and vote.

### Q: When will public servants get the backdated pay?

A: If the ballots pass, the [first increases would likely start being paid in January](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/11/11/public-sector-strike-set-to-be-called-off-after-pay-deal-agreed-with-unions/), with the first rise backdated to September and paid as a lump sum after Christmas.

Wondering what you should earn? [Metaintro](https://www.metaintro.com) brings together 50M jobs in one place. [Create a free profile](https://www.metaintro.com/signup) and start your search today.

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