Private secretaries to ministers have had their allowances increased by almost 50 per cent, writes Padraig Yeates, Industry and Employment Correspondent.
The increase, equivalent to a 7 per cent pay rise, is also to be given the private secretaries of ministers of state, the Ceann Comhairle, Leas-Ceann Comhairle and heads of civil service departments.
There are about 60 private secretaries and they will receive increases worth £1,250 to £2,400 a year. It was negotiated by the Public Service Executive Union and the Department of Finance.
A union survey of members showed a significant increase in work by private secretaries for ministers outside normal hours. Substantial allowances are paid to them to compensate for the extra demands of the job.
The allowance for most private secretaries will rise from £6,607 a year to £9,000. Those who work for the secretary general of a department are on a lower scale. Their allowance will increase from £3,498 to £4,765.