Public sector pay up 8.2%

Public sector workers' (excluding health workers) average weekly earnings rose by 8.2% in the year to June 2004, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

A total of 243,700 people were employed in the public sector, excluding the health sector,

in June 2004 compared to 240,900 in June 2003.

Employment in the health sector increased from 96,600 to 97,700 in the same period.

Overall employment in the Public sector was 341,400 in June 2004, an increase of 3,900 compared with June 2003.