The largest teachers' union in the country has warned its members there are likely to be "very difficult elements" in any extension package of the Croke Park agreement.

Under the existing agreement, the public sector is committed to making savings of EUR3.3 billion between 2013-15, but the government are now demanding further cuts of around EUR1 billion.

However, RTE reports that the measures discussed during preliminary stages of the talks, which began yesterday (January 14th), were dismissed by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) and other unions as too severe to accept.

It is believed the government's plans included cuts to higher payment grades, performance-based contracts for management and suggestions employees should work longer hours for the same amount of pay.

The INTO says that any package that emerges from the talks will be put to a ballots of its members, but suggested that an agreement is "by no means certain".

It said: "There is no doubt that these talks will be the most difficult that public service unions, including the INTO, have ever undertaken."

Written by Donal Walsh.

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