Public sector pensions boost

Two thirds of retired public service workers who saw their pensions slashed during the economic crash are set to benefit from increases of up to €1,680 over the next three years, in sharp contrast to their private sector colleagues.

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin confirmed the €90m plan last night, saying the Government needed to ensure 65,000 low and middle-paid public sector retirees were among the first to benefit from the recovery.

Under a deal agreed in tandem with recently announced public sector pay rises, retired public sector workers will receive an average increase of €400 on January 1 next year, €500 in 2017, and €780 in 2018.