Understanding Ireland's 2022 Public Sector Pay Adjustments

Understanding the Department of Health Circular 6/2022: Pay Adjustments for 2022

The Department of Health in Ireland issued Circular 6/2022 on 2 August 2022 to communicate the application of pay adjustments for certain grades within the public health sector and civil service. This official notice outlines the specifics of salary increases effective from 1 February 2022 and 1 July 2022, as part of the broader sectoral bargaining process under the Building Momentum – Public Service Agreement 2021-2022.

Scope and Objectives of Circular 6/2022

This circular aims to inform relevant public health sector employees and human resources departments about the implementation of salary increases agreed upon in 2022. It covers pay adjustments for specific bargaining units within the public health sector, notably four of the seven established under sectoral bargaining arrangements. The circular ensures transparency and consistency in applying these adjustments across designated grades and units.

Key Pay Adjustments and Their Legal Basis

The pay increases are primarily rooted in the Sectoral Bargaining provisions of the Building Momentum agreement, which stipulates a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries for eligible employees. This increase is to be used either as a general pay round increase or allocated to a Sectoral Bargaining Fund for specific claims settlement.

Specifically, for civil service grades, the circular confirms:

• A 1% increase in the annualised basic salary effective from 1 February 2022.
• A 1% rise in allowances that are considered part of pay.
• Adjustments related to the Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) for 2022.

Application within the Public Health Sector

Within the public health sector, Circular 6/2022 applies to four bargaining units:

1. SIPTU Bargaining Unit
2. Forsa Management/Administration Bargaining Unit
3. Cross-Sectoral Bargaining Unit
4. Medical Scientist Bargaining Unit

For these units, the circular details how the Sectoral Bargaining Fund will be used to settle outstanding claims or awards within the funding limits. The adjustments are to be implemented retrospectively, with effect from 1 February 2022, unless exceptional circumstances dictate otherwise.

Implications for Employees and Employers

Employees within the specified bargaining units will see their pay adjusted accordingly, either through the 1% increase or through settlement of outstanding claims, but not both. It is the employer’s responsibility to verify whether their staff fall under this circular and to apply the necessary pay adjustments promptly.

For employees outside these units, separate arrangements are anticipated, and further circulars will specify the applicable adjustments. Employers are advised to await official guidance before implementing changes for other grades.

Specific Changes and Examples

The circular provides detailed examples of adjustments for various grades and roles, including:

• Alignment of certain chef grades to specific pay points.
• Assimilation of radiographers and radiation therapists onto new scales.
• Increase of 3.73% in basic pay for designated radiography and radiation therapy grades.
• Enhanced on-call rates for computed tomography (CT) radiographers.

These changes aim to standardize pay levels across comparable roles and recognize the professional qualifications and responsibilities associated with each grade.

Next Steps for Employers and Employees

Employers should review their staff's classification to determine applicability under Circular 6/2022. Once confirmed, they must process the pay adjustments with retrospective effect from 1 February 2022. Employees or representatives seeking clarification should contact their human resources department or the relevant union representatives for guidance.

In summary, Circular 6/2022 formalizes the implementation of agreed pay increases for specific public health sector grades, reinforcing the commitments made under the Building Momentum agreement. It ensures that employees receive their rightful pay adjustments in line with sectoral negotiations and legal provisions, fostering transparency and fairness within the Irish public service workforce.