Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has welcomed the new Social Partnership agreement provisionally entitled 'Toward 2016' which was hammered out by the social partners yesteday after almost five months of intensive negotiations.
Speaking after the final plenary session at Government Buildings yesterday, Mr Ahern said it provided an important framework for meeting the economic and social challenges ahead.
The deal provides a ten year framework to plan social and infrastructural developments. Key elements of the social agenda include linking the lowest social welfare payment to 30% of average industrial earnings, 27,000 additional social housing units within three years, 500 primary health care teams to alleviate pressure on accident and emergency units and a family carer strategy.
Employers and unions had already agreed a national pay agreement delivering wage increases of 10% over 27 months.
They have also finalised a series of new measures to deter rogue employers from abusing or exploiting workers. These include increased penalties for non- compliance with employment laws including prison terms and fines of up to €250,000.
ICTU General Secretary David Begg said he believed the measures could halt the so-called race to the bottom in employment standards.
IBEC Director General Turlough O'Sullivan welcomed measures to assist the manufacturing sector including increased support for training and upskilling.
The Director of CORI, Fr Sean Healy, said that for the first time, economic and social development would be afforded equal priority.
