The Government has approved an independent report on restoring public service working times to pre-austerity levels.
The Independent Hours Body was established under the Building Momentum public service agreement and was chaired by Kieran Mulvey.
It recommended the unwinding of additional working hours imposed on public sector workers under the Haddington Road Agreement.
The independent body recommended that the additional hours, implemented in 2013, should be restored to all civil and public service employees with effect from July 1 2022, with the exception of hospital consultants, academic grades.
The body did not see any basis to adjust the current arrangements for primary and post primary teachers.
The additional working hours saw the standard working time of civil and public servants increased to 39 hours per week for those who previously worked between 37 and 39 hours, and to 37 hours for those who previously worked 35 hours or less.
The hours of those working 39 hours or more were unchanged.
The recommendation of the independent body will see a return to the pre-July 2013 hours with a minimum working week of 35 hours.
Government will continue to prioritise service delivery
Announcing the approval of the recommendations, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath said the Government will continue to prioritise service delivery.
"In light of the challenges the health sector may face in implementing the body's report, I understand that the Minister for Health will arrange for immediate engagement with health sector unions and associations on the measures that are required to ensure safe implementation of the recommendations," Mr McGrath said.
"It is important to remember that Building Momentum embodied a strong commitment to reform and the improved delivery of public services. The Government is determined to ensure the current pay agreement is honoured in full," he added.
Fórsa, the largest public sector trade union, has welcomed the Government's acceptance of the recommendations.
"The independent body's recommendation, which is now accepted by the Government, will remove a deep grievance among many, mostly lower-paid, workers," said Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan.
Based on the independent body’s own estimations, the recommendations will cost approximately €179m in 2022.The Government has approved an additional €29m this year to implement the body’s recommendations in full.
