Talks may yield bulk of €1bn savings by Monday

The round-the-clock talks on an extension to the Croke Park deal could yield an agreement on the bulk of the required €1bn in savings as early as Monday.

The Labour Relations Commission, which is overseeing the talks, has separated the process into key areas: Working hours, pay cuts for the higher paid, cuts to premium payment, overtime, and increments. The last area groups the remaining outstanding issues, including redeployment.

On each area, the two sides are well versed on what the opposition is looking for. Three of the topics will likely yield most of the savings.

On the working hours issue, the Government had been looking for an extra hour per day from staff — five hours per week — while the unions have said such a burden will not be part of any new deal.

One source said that while it will vary between sectors, it is likely the sides will agree to proposals which will see staff working a minimum of 37-39 hours per week.

On pay cuts for the higher paid, there had been speculation that all salaries would be cut over €60,000. However, informed sources say a base figure between €60,000 and €70,000 is being discussed. About €65,000 is the most likely.

The percentages by which salaries will be cut has also to be decided.

It is likely those earning over €100,000 could see, as one source put it, “double digit” cuts with the reductions being proportionally less moving down the pay scale.

On premium payments, the fear for frontline staff remains that union negotiators will not battle hard enough to protect the additional monies which make up a significant part of their pay. The Government has banked on securing €170m from cuts here and is unlikely to take a total far below that.

In education, negotiations are ongoing between management and unions on how much cuts the Government can secure on the €125m bill for supervision and substitution.

Sources have indicated that management wants to eradicate nearly all the figure.

Yesterday saw the start of protest action against cuts to premium payments by more than 11,000 members of the Garda Representative Association.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter criticised as a “bad day for the force” the protest by the GRA outside the Croke Park talks at Lansdowne House.

“I am concerned that what took place yesterday could discredit the force,” he said.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan yesterday spent an hour and a half with rank and file officers in Fermoy and Glanmire, Co Cork, during which, he said, they outlined their frustrations.

As regards the protest actions, he said he was satisfied gardaí would continue to deal with their commitments to the public.

“We have a very efficient police service,” he said.

Mr Callinan also confirmed he is due to meet with the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors to discuss members’ grievances.