Public sector pay deal could impact Laois' 2027 Budget
Laois County Council passed its €140 million budget for 2027
There is uncertainty surrounding how any new public sector pay deal may impact Laois County Council’s 2027 Budget.
As Laois councillors approved the €140 million budget on Monday, November 9, questions were raised concerning how any new pay deal for the public sector may affect the upcoming year’s budget as workers prepare for a 24-hour work stoppage this Thursday, November 12 .
As it stands, the Government has put forward a pay deal which would see public sector workers receive pay increases of 10.5% up until 2029.
Some lower paid public servants may receive an even bigger package, with increases of up to 17.8%.
Public sector unions are preparing for a second day of strike action in Laois and across the country this Thursday as the negotiations continue with the Government.
The work-to-rule industrial action also remains in operation.
Cllr Tommy Mulligan queried whether this potential pay deal will have an impact on Laois County Council’s 2027 Budget given the expected increase in salaries for public sector employees in the county.
Head of Finances at Laois County Council Julie Bergin acknowledged that the budget, which has been passed, could not include any pay increases for public sector employees as no pay deal has been made.
She said that any increased costs in relation to pay rises will be “somewhat funded” by the Department of Public Expenditure.
However, Cllr Mulligan pressed just how it would impact the Council if this pay deal was only “somewhat” covered by the Department.
The Director of Services explained that there is some uncertainty around how exactly this would impact the 2027 Budget, but it could potentially have an effect for the county.
“At this stage because we don’t have any clarity around what grants are going to be provided or what level of funding we will get from the department, it is very difficult to say,” Ms Bergin said.
“We are working in bit of a blind space realistically.”
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