FAQs – 2025: Community and Voluntary Sector Pay Proposal

You will be asked to vote either in favour or against the terms of the WRC agreement.

Fórsa members working in Section 10, 39, 40 and 56 funded organisations.

The pay terms of the new agreement are valued at 9.25%, over two years (October 2024 to October 2026).

• A general round increase in annualised basic salary of 2.25% backdated to 1st October 2024

2025

• A general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% on 1st April 2025
• A general round increase in annualised basic salary of 2% on 1st November 2025

2026

• A general round increase in annualised basic salary of 2% on 1st April 2026
• A general round increase in annualised basic salary of 2% on 1st October 2026.

The agreement acknowledges that the pay of some workers in the community and voluntary organisations has fallen behind equivalent grades in public sector organisations.

This proposal allows for future pay increases, funding will be adjusted to allow for application of equivalent general round pay adjustments, as provided for in any successor agreements to the Public Service Agreement.

The proposed agreement clearly states that any funding provided to organisations under this agreement can only be used to meet the pay increases.

To ensure compliance with this proposed agreement a joint monitoring/ implementation group comprising the funding agencies, employer representatives and staff union representatives will be established to ensure practical issues and disputes arising in the administration of this agreement can be resolved in a timely and effective manner.

It has been agreed that an independent data gathering exercise will be conducted over the next 8 months, following acceptance of the proposal. This is crucial to create a shared understanding of the sector. Once complete the parties will reengage no later than 1st March 2026, to discuss the outcome of a comprehensive data gathering exercise which will be undertaken on the pay and funding arrangements in the sector to progress pay issues that affect the delivery of services and the long-term viability of organisations.

The ballot will open on the 7th April and closes on the 28th April 2025.

If you are eligible to vote you will receive an email with a link to Mi-Voice, our secure voting platform, along with your unique voting code.

Your elected representatives on the Health and Welfare Divisional Executive Committee (DEC) has reviewed these proposals and unanimously supports a recommendation for members to vote 'yes' to accept them.

• Go to any workplace information meetings arranged by your Branch Executive.
• Encourage your colleagues to participate also.
• Ensure you cast your vote as early as possible.
• As your colleagues who aren’t in the union yet to join Fórsa.

• Cork 021 4255 210 forsacork@forsa.ie
• Limerick 061 319 177 forsalimerick@forsa.ie
• Galway 091 778 031 healthwest@forsa.ie
• Sligo 071 914 2400 healthnorthwest@forsa.ie
• Dublin Head Office 01 817 1500 healthandwelfareinfo@forsa.ie