‘Good possibility’ of reaching public sector pay deal Varadkar tells FG

• Published date: 23 June 2022
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

Earlier this week Mr Varadkar suggested a "landing zone" for a deal could involve a higher percentage pay rise for lower-paid workers, tax reform to benefit middle-income earners, and "social wage" commitments

Mr Varadkar told his party that public servants deserve a pay increase.

He said history has shown such discussions have setbacks and can take time but he is keen to come to an agreement with the unions to get through the high inflation period.

Fine Gael is holding a special parliamentary party meeting next week to discuss the upcoming budget but there were contributions on the cost of living yesterday's gathering.

Dún Laoghaire TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Senator Mary Seery-Kearney are both understood to have raised the need to provide extra support to both parents and childcare providers. A childcare package is expected in the budget.

Contributors to the meeting praised Mr Varadkar's recent comments on the need to...