The Taoiseach says the government is trying to increase take home pay for private workers through tax cuts.

Enda Kenny was speaking after trade unions announced a bid for a 4% pay increase for public workers next year.

Meanwhile the minister for public spending has denied the push for public sector raises is because of Fine Gael's election slogan.

The party ran in last year's general election using the slogan 'keep the recovery going'.

With news of financial gains hundreds of thousands of public sector workers have been seeking wage hikes.

The private sector is now attempting to follow suit - with ICTU looking for an extra 4% pay increase for every worker, with a minimum of €1,000 per person.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports.