Public sector earnings in 1998 up 5.2% from 1997 - CSO

Average weekly earnings in the public sector were up 5.2 per cent in December 1998 when compared with the same period in 1997, according to the latest figures supplied by the Central Statistics Office. A breakdown of the overall public sector figure shows average weekly earnings in regional bodies increased by 7.9 per cent between December 1997 and December 1998, or from £336.68 (€427.50) to £363.40 (€461.42). Weekly earnings in the Defence Forces increased by 6.9 per cent (£342.10 to £365.56); and weekly earnings in the Garda Siochana (including overtime) rose by 5.9 per cent (from £551.49 to £584.11) during the same period.