Average weekly earnings in the public sector - excluding health - rose 7.1 per cent in the year to March, according to Central Statistics Office figures.
The CSO said the index of average earnings, which excludes some
effects of changes in employment composition, rose by 7.5 per cent in the same period.
A total of 231,600 people were employed in the public sector in March compared to 220,400 in March 2001.
READ MORE
This rise mainly comprises an increase of 4,900 in the education sector, a civil service rise of 2,300, a 2,100 rise in employment in regional bodies, and an increase of 1,700 in the semi-state sector.
Employment details for the health sector are compiled for the last quarter of each year.