The Association of Higher Civil and Public Service is welcoming suggestions of pay restoration for the sector.

The body will meet today for their annual delegate conference ahead of talks with unions and the Public Expenditure Minister next week.

Reports suggest that up to €300m is being set aside by the Government to meet the cost of restoring cuts to the employees pay packets.

The 300,000 employees in the sector are expected to receive a pay increase of about €800 each.

Ciaran Rohan General Secretary of the AHCPS says they're hopeful ahead of the gathering: