The Fórsa trade union is to recommend acceptance of a pay deal agreed on Monday night for workers in the community and voluntary sector.
It includes a 9.25% increase for up to 40,000 employees backdated to October 2024 with phased rises in 2025 and 2026.
The workers will also have an automatic link to all future public sector pay agreements.
The proposals were agreed at the Workplace Relations Commission following talks between Government representatives and unions.
Fórsa’s Health & Welfare divisional executive met today and made the decision to recommend the terms of the agreement.
Preparations for a ballot will get under way in the coming days.
In a communication to members, Fórsa’s Head of Health & Welfare Ashley Connolly said the deal was achieved following months of “challenging” negotiations.
“This agreement allows for future pay increases, and 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,” Ms Connolly said.
Other unions are continuing to consult with members on the matter.
The Government has welcomed what it described as unprecedented funding proposals for pay increases for health and social care workers in the community and voluntary sector.
It said the plans deliver on a Programme for Government commitment with an additional investment of around €140m per year.
The agreement applies to workers in organisations grant funded under Section 39, which relates to healthcare, Section 56, which relates to child and family services, Section 10, which relates to housing, and Section 40, which relates to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agencies.
Last month, healthcare workers in Section 39 organisations, who are members of SIPTU, voted overwhelmingly for strike action as part of the dispute.
The union is continuing to consider the proposals and will consult with members before deciding on its next steps.
