Irish government restores normal hours

The Irish government has agreed that public servants’ working time will return to the previously agreed length. As part of the then government’s cost-saving programme in July 2013 they were increased, without an equivalent rise in pay, to 39 hours for those who previously worked between 35 and 37 hours, and to 37 hours for those who previously worked 35 hours or less. The unions have consistently pressed for a return to pre-2013 working hours, and in January 2022 an independent body set up to look at the issue agreed that this should happen, although with the proviso that 35 hours would be the minimum working week. The government has now accepted the recommendations.