Police unions and the justice ministry have reached a deal on a new pay and conditions agreement, which includes a 10% pay rise for low-paid officers over a 2.5 year period.

The agreement, which will be back-dated to January 2022, gives the police an average wage increase of 9.5% plus bonus for those with particularly difficult working conditions. Police starting public campaigning for a better pay deal in December.

The bonus, which will apply to front-line officers who have to work extra shifts and more irregular hours because of the shortage of police officers, could mount up to €2,500 a year.

Unions leaders say they are happy with the agreement which ‘does justice to all the people who work for the police’. The agreement must now be put to members.