Higher public servants to discuss AI, pay, flexible work

Members of the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (AHCPS) will debate a range of motions including pay, AI safeguards, flexible working rights and surrogacy leave, at the union's annual conference in Dublin today.

Other motions relate to extending paid paternity leave, as well as growing concerns around workload and retention across the civil and public service.

Motions on pay come ahead of the next round public sector pay talks and call for wage levels to better reflect increasing responsibilities, workload and accountability.

The motions highlight concerns around the rising cost of living, and the need to attract and retain experienced professionals within senior public service leadership roles.

Resolutions on artificial intelligence call for stronger safeguards around the use of AI in public service decision-making including the demand for a 'Human-in-the-Loop' (HITL) guarantee from the Department of Public Expenditure ensuring that no final decision regarding public policy, resource allocation, or citizen rights is made solely by an automated system.

On the issue of remote working, one motion "notes with concern attempts by some Departments to alter agreed blended working arrangements".

The resolution calls for the Civil Service Blended Working Framework to be applied consistently and that Departments do not unilaterally alter agreed arrangements.

Another motion notes the absence of a statutory surrogacy leave scheme, which results in inequality for members and fails to reflect the diversity of modern family formation in Ireland.

The AHCPS represents over 4,500 civil servants and managers across 50 branches in the commercial and non-commercial State sector.

Ahead of today's conference, almost 2,000 of the union's members responded to a survey about the issues currently facing workers.

The research found that 68% of respondents feel there are not sufficient AI training initiatives in place for civil and public servants.

More than a quarter of those who avail of blended working said they work longer hours than they did before flexible working.

"This survey provides an important insight into the experiences, concerns and priorities of senior civil and public servants across Ireland at a time of significant workplace and societal change," said Ciaran Rohan, General Secretary of the AHCPS.

"Our members recognise the opportunities that technologies such as AI can bring to public service delivery, but they are also clear that implementation must be supported by robust governance, clear policies, proper training and ongoing engagement with workers."

"The responses also demonstrate the continuing importance of flexible and family-friendly working policies in attracting and retaining talented civil and public servants."

"Members want modern workplaces that support productivity, wellbeing, equality and work-life balance," Mr Rohan said.