Campaigns

General Election: Political Parties’ positions on Fórsa’s priorities

On Friday, 29th November Irish citizens will have the opportunity to vote for candidates in a general election.

We have reviewed political parties’ manifestos and engaged directly with the parties on their commitments to supporting Fórsa priorities, in relation to the results of the Ámarach survey carried out in 2024. In this survey, more than 20,000 members outlined their general election priorities.

Our members were clear, they want the next government to prioritise:

  • Pay increases which go beyond rates of inflation,
  • Protection of remote work and the introduction of a four-day working week in the public and civil service,
  • The provision and availability of high-quality, world-class public services.

The below has been produced through assessing written commitments given to Fórsa and the election manifestos of the seven largest outgoing political parties from the previous Dáil. This is meant to be indicative only and does not serve as the final word on policies. Links to the full manifestos from these political parties can be found below. Fórsa does not support or endorse any political party.

We encourage all members to engage with the general election, cast your vote, and have your say in shaping the make-up of the next Dáil Éireann.

Fianna Fáil will ensure existing employment law is upheld, including the Work Life Balance legislation and Right to Request Flexible Working. Fianna Fáil do not include plans to trial a four-day week.

Fine Gael will promote flexible working arrangements that benefit both workers and employers, ensuring a balanced approach.

Sinn Féin will deliver the Remote Working Code of Practice and support a pilot scheme to establish whether a four-day week is feasible while maintaining productivity and ensuring services to the public are delivered.

Green Party will expand the right to request flexible working to all workers, not just those in caring roles. Greens will also convene a Citizens’ Assembly on the four-day work week to examine impacts on productivity, wellbeing and cost.

Labour will legislate for a strong right to flexible work to replace the current right to request and
code of practice. Labour will encourage ongoing trials and adoption of four-day weeks or six-hour days, and support more flexible working arrangements with safeguards for pay levels.

Social Democrats will through legislation support a stronger right to flexible working, including remote and hybrid working. The party will also establish a commission to research, trial and set out a pathway to a 4-day week, including in the public sector and civil service.

People Before Profit will support a 4-day week trial in the public service, without loss of pay. PBP fully supports the right to work remotely.

Fianna Fáil’s manifesto does not make specific reference to Sláintecare, however, commits to a major reform programme in health services.

Fine Gael’s manifesto makes reference to the Sláintecare reform programme and delivering benefits to our growing and ageing population.

Sinn Féin’s manifesto includes commitment to delivering Sláintecare.

Green Party’s manifesto includes commitment to bring a relentless focus to providing healthcare at the appropriate level in line with the Sláintecare strategy.

Labour’s manifesto includes commitment to fully implementing Sláintecare.

Social Democrats’s manifesto includes commitment to fully implementing the Sláintecare programme within the term of the next government.

People Before Profit’s manifesto does not make specific reference to Sláintecare, however, the party commits to a single tier health system where patients are treated on the basis of need and services, including GP care, are provided free at the point of delivery.

Fianna Fáil have not committed to a future referendum on the public ownership of water.

Fine Gael have not committed to a future referendum on the public ownership of water.

Sinn Féin will hold a referendum to enshrine the public ownership of the water and wastewater system and water utility in the Constitution

Green Party have not committed to a future referendum on the public ownership of water.

Labour will seek referendums on protecting the public ownership of our water, gas and electricity networks.

Social Democrats will commit to a referendum on the public ownership of water.

People Before Profit will hold a referendum on keeping water in public ownership.

Fianna Fáil will increase the National Childcare Subsidy, reducing parents’ fees to €200 per month.

Fine Gael will cap childcare costs at €200 per month.

Sinn Féin will deliver a public model of childcare costing €10 per day.

Green Party will provide a new public model of childcare and cap costs at €200 per child per month.

Labour Childcare will build a public childcare system and cap childcare costs at €50 per week.

Social Democrats Cap childcare fees at €250 per child per month and build a public model of childcare.

People Before Profit will establish a fully publicly owned and funded National Childcare Service to provide free childcare for all.

Here is the full Fórsa General Election Manifesto for 2024. More than 20,000 public sector workers who are Fórsa members completed a recent survey, conducted by Amárach Research, which shaped the direction of this manifesto.

Here are the links to each political party’s manifestos: