TDs received a pay increase this week ahead of Budget 2019

TDs received a pre-Budget pay increase this week as another wage hike nudges their salary closer to the six figure mark. The pay increase of €935 will push their wages to €94,535 in line with the 1% of the public sector pay deal. It's part of the public service pay deal outlining how Fempi measures, which were introduced during difficult economic times, will be unwound and public service pay will be restored. Other workers who signed up to the pay deal will have the first of the pay back begin in January 2019, although it's thought there may be a delay for teachers. The aim is that 90% of workers will have gained pay restoration by 2020. The deal was agreed earlier this year and confirmed by the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Last month, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohue said the deal will benefit some 60,000 public sector workers recruited after 2011, including over 16,000 teachers, nearly 10,000 nurses and almost 5,000 special needs assistants.

It's thought the deal will cost the government €887 million over the next three years.