the higher salary makes up for the difference between paying the two different classes of PRSI. My understanding is that a pre 95 and post 95 public servant with the exact same tax credits would end up receiving the same net salary.
While it relates only to the Civil Service Proper the Irish Civil Service Pension Information Site is informative and is kept up to date. Some (but not all) of the Public Service schemes are based on the CS model.
I have looked at the cs pension information site and have stripped out reference to pre 1995 and to pension benefits. I cut and pasted material relating to pension contributions only. See below. (I am not a public servant so this is only my interpretaion of the contribution rates)
What contribution rates do 'established civil servants on or after 6 April 1995' have?
Persons appointed as established civil servants on or after 6 April 1995 are in Class A PRSI and their pensions are co-ordinated or integrated with the State Social Insurance system.
The purpose of integration is to take account of the entitlement to Social Insurance benefits in making up a portion of replacement income at retirement. Integration applies to both pension (lump sum is unaffected) and contributions.
Net remuneration is defined as current salary plus pensionable emoluments, less twice the maximum rate of Social Insurance contributory old age pension payable to a single person with no dependants.
Contributions An explicit main scheme contribution of 5% applies.
The 5% contribution comprises 3½% of net remuneration in respect of pension and 1½% of remuneration in respect of lump sum
in addition,
1½% of remuneration for the spouses' and children's contributory pension scheme.