IMPROVEMENTS TO POST-2012 STATEPENSIONS.  The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has announced improvements to the state pension calculations for post 2012 pensioners.  Higher rates will commence from 30 March 2018.  The Department's statement is available here: Press_release.pdf

January 2018

PUBLICATION OF PAY AND PENSIONS BILL 2017 .  On Tuesday November 7th Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Pascal Donoghue, T.D. published the Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill 2017. An abstact from the Minister's Press Release is available here.

Focus Ireland is looking for volunteers to deliver school talks on the issue of homelessness and to encourage schools to fundraise and raise awareness.  These talks aim to help develop students' understading of homelessness and also to break down stereotypes they may have about people who are homeless. Full induction and training will be provided.

For full details of the role please go to www.focusireland.ie and download an application form.

November 2017

PUBLIC SERVICE PAY COMMISSION REPORT - MAY 2017

The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission which was published earlier this month will provide the backdrop to the forthcomin talks on pay and pensions. The independent commission was set up in 2016 to advise the Government in relation to public service pay.  The Commission invited submissions from interested parties and has now submitted its report to the Government.  Full details of the Commission, its membership, terms of reference and the final report are available on its website at www.paycommission.gov.ie.

Both the ASTI and the Alliance of Retired Public Servants presented submissions to the Commission and both submissions can be viewed on the website. (RSTA is a member of the Alliance.  Our representatives on the Alliance are President Carmel Heneghan and National Committee member Marie Doyle.)  The Public Service Committee of the ICTU has also stated that it will defend pay parity which is a key issue for RSTA members.

There has been widespread comment in the media since the publication of the report.  The Alliance has been very active in the media ensuring that the issues affecting public service retirees are aired.  Brian Burke, Chair of the Alliance has appeared on the Claire Byrne Show on RTE.  He also gave two interviews on Newstalk.  Press releases and interviews by Alliance members have also been published in the Irish Sun, The Examiner, The Irish Independent, The Kildare Nationalist and The Irish Times.  East Coast Radio and Radio na Gaeltachta also carried interviews. RSTA members will also be actively engaging with local radio and local print media in the coming weeks.