Agreement reached on Civil Service pay award

Finance Minister John O’Dowd has welcomed the decision by unions to accept the 2024/25 pay award for civil servants.

The 20-month offer, accepted by all unions, will see the majority of civil servants receive a 3% consolidated increase with effect from 1 August 2024 and a 6% consolidated increase with effect from 1 August 2025.

Minister O’Dowd said: “I am pleased unions have accepted the 2024/25 pay offer.

"This pay award signals the importance we place on civil servants and the key role they will play in transforming our services and contributing to the delivery of our Programme for Government ambitions.

"Moving to a 20-month deal and the same pay cycle as other workers will give staff certainty and is a more strategic approach, leaving us better placed to recruit and retain the workforce we need.

"Confirming our commitment to being a living wage foundation employer, alongside improvements in maternity cover, shows our determination to ensure equality and fairness in our pay structures. 

"The pressures facing public services are significant and increasing, skilled and motivated staff are essential to drive transformation and ensure we meet the changing needs of citizens.”

Subject to eligibility, the award includes:

• Contractual performance-related progression;
• Bringing up the pay of the lowest paid staff (Administrative Assistant and analogous grades, including Industrial 1 staff) to the Living Wage Foundation rates of £12.60 an hour or £24,336 annually;
• All other eligible staff to receive a consolidated increase of 3% with effect from 1 August 2024 and 6% with effect from 1 August 2025; and,
• A series of improvements to allowances and other important terms and conditions such as maternity and adoption pay to be detailed during 2025.