There are warnings of possible industrial action if a new public sector pay agreement isn't agreed upon.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions says the current deal doesn't reflect recent spikes in inflation.
The one per cent pay rise due in October wasn't well-received by teaching unions last week.
President of ICTU, Michael Callinan, says the issue needs to be addressed by the government sooner rather than later:
"We've listened to the Minister during the week and his statement that he intends to have a briefing from his officials and bring a memorandum to government soon. We believe it's very urgent that that happens quickly, in order to ensure that we stabilise the current agreement".
