Talks go down to the wire as school staff, nurses and others plan another strike on Thursday

Formal pay talks for public sector workers are ongoing as the government seeks to avoid another strike.

The strike would see some schools close, medical appointments cancelled and other services unable to proceed normally such as local authority facilities.

Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday, Tanaiste Simon Harris said: “I’m very conscious that in Ireland today significant efforts are under way to try and resolve issues in relation to a public sector pay agreement. I think very significant progress has been made.

“The Government made a new and revised offer in recent days. I strongly welcome the fact that the Workplace Relations Commission will resume discussions between all parties today and I would really encourage everyone to make that last push to try and get an agreement today."

Trade unions and Government representatives are being held with an independent group led by Commission Chair Kevin Foley.

It is understood that there is hope the final agreement will be made today, with a view to concluding negotiation.

Unions are considering what the Government has described as a "substantially improved" offer which would deliver pay increases of 10.5%.

If not agreed, another strike will go ahead.

As part of the strike, union members are being encouraged to march in rallies rather than stage pickets outside their workplaces like they did last time.

Eight demonstrations will take place across the country from 12pm to 2pm, with the largest taking place in Dublin.

The other rallies will be held in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Sligo, Tullamore and Letterkenny.

The total cost of the Government's proposed 10.5% pay deal is expected to be close to €5bn for the Exchequer over the lifetime of the deal.

An increase of 10.5% to public sector pay will cost €4.58bn.