Despite ongoing tensions between management and staff which saw a one-day stoppage last month, Dunnes Stores is understood to have signed off on a 3% pay rise for its workers.

Tánaiste Joan Burton has backed plans to give public sector workers pay rises of up to 3% in the coming months, despite declining to say how much money is available to fund it.

Primary teachers seeking pay restoration should go on strike to secure a rise in their wages, according to a motion yesterday at the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) annual congress.

THE teachers’ conferences begin in earnest today and, like more or less any such professional assembly, they will be animated by idealism, commitment to a noble vocation, and a passionate desire to improve our education system.

The head of the AGSI says the public would not raise an eyebrow if Gardaí were given a pay rise.

Junior employment minister Ged Nash has admitted there “may well” be an expectation among those earning the minimum wage that it should be increased, but employers are warning any rise will hit competitiveness and cost jobs.

An umbrella body for more than 1,000 retailers has said union calls for pay rises across the industry are “highly irresponsible” when many are struggling to keep their doors open.

The chief executive of ESB Pat O’Doherty saw his total pay packet rise by more than €6,000 as his taxable benefits increased from €9,000 to €15,000 bringing his total package to €358,950.