The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has indicated that some pay and pension cuts in the public sector will be reversed as the public finances improve.
Brendan Howlin says talks will begin with public sector unions next year - but it's not clear when exactly such measures might come in.
Pay cuts averaging at 6.5 per cent - as well as a pension levy averaging 7.5 per cent - were imposed on public sector workers during the height of the economic crisis.
The union Impact has welcomed today's announcement. It's spokesperson is Bernard Harbour:
