The CSO reported today that average weekly earnings in the Irish Public Sector (excluding Health) rose by 3.4% in the year to March 2009 from €941.01 to €973.04. This compares to a rise of 3.2% in the year to December 2008. Weekly earnings for the Defence Sector rose by 5.2% (from €788.18 to €828.79) and for the Regional Bodies by 4.4% (from €832.64 to €869.10). Average weekly earnings for A Garda Síochána, inclusive of overtime, fell by 4% from €1,226.16 to €1,177.54 per week. However, their weekly earnings excluding overtime rose by 1.9% from €1,054.34 to €1,074.04 for the same period. Employment rose 2,900 in year to March 2009 and jumped by 20,000 in  three years.