Stalled negotiations

The previous public sector pay agreement, which covered more than 80,000 SIPTU members, expired on 30 June 2026. It had provided general pay increases of 9.25% (or up to 10.25% over two and a half years, according to RTÉ) plus a 1% local bargaining fund. Formal talks on a successor deal have not started, and exploratory contacts with the Department of Public Expenditure failed to establish a basis for negotiations.

Union response

SIPTU General Secretary John King said the cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation had eroded the value of previous pay increases. The union announced nationwide workplace consultations ahead of ballots across the health service, local authorities and education in the coming weeks.

“Exploratory talks with government officials over the last few weeks failed to establish the basis for formal talks to begin, as they did not set out clearly their commitment to a pay strategy in an agreement that would protect the living standards of our members, over the lifetime of a multi-annual engagement.”

SIPTU Health Divisional Organiser Kevin Figgis warned members would not carry the burden of rising costs while the government stalled.

“If Government continues to stall, our members will take whatever actions are needed, and SIPTU will stand firmly with them.”

The Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, representing 19 affiliated unions, is also consulting members ahead of potential industrial action ballots.

Government stance

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said the threat of industrial action was unnecessary and that the government wanted a deal but not at any cost. Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary, speaking at an informal EU ministers' meeting in Ballina, Co Mayo, urged unions to engage with Mr Chambers.

“The Government are more than willing and able to do a deal. We made it clear, not at any cost. We want to have a negotiation, and Minister Chambers has made it very clear. He's available for negotiation.”

Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris echoed that previous deals had served the country well and a new agreement could not come at any cost.

EU presidency backdrop

Mr Calleary's comments came as he welcomed EU social protection and employment ministers to his hometown for the first Council of Ministers meeting of Ireland's EU presidency. The informal gathering focused on poverty, unemployment and disability employment, with no formal conclusions expected.