26th August 2026
Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment with special responsibility for Small Businesses and Retail Alan Dillon TD is pleased to launch a new ‘Excellence in Collective Bargaining Award’, today as part of the CIPD in Ireland HR Awards 2027.
The CIPD in Ireland HR Awards provide organisations, teams and individuals with an opportunity to gain national recognition for the impact, innovation and excellence of their people practices. The Awards also provide a valuable platform for entrants, finalists and winners to benchmark their work, celebrate their achievements and share examples of good workplace practice from across Ireland.
The new Excellence in Collective Bargaining Award – sponsored by Minister Dillon’s Department - will recognise organisations that demonstrate effective collective bargaining, constructive social dialogue and meaningful engagement between employers, employees and their representatives.
The introduction of the category follows the publication of Ireland’s first Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining, published by the Minister’s Department in November 2025 and brings to life a commitment in the Action Plan to recognise and promote best practices in collective bargaining.
Welcoming the launch, Minister Alan Dillon stated:
“Collective bargaining and effective social dialogue make an important contribution to productive, fair and sustainable workplaces. They support positive workplace relationships and help employers and workers respond constructively to change.
This new award will recognise organisations that are leading the way in workplace partnership by engaging meaningfully with their workers and their representatives. It will also shine a light on the benefits that collective bargaining can provide to employees, employers and the wider economy.
Collective bargaining can deliver benefits both within the workplace and across the wider economy. Research shows that it can support fair pay and working conditions, enhance productivity and help organisations respond effectively to change. It can also help prevent and resolve workplace conflict, promote stable industrial relations, and contribute to a fairer, more inclusive and resilient economy.”
The Department encourages eligible organisations to participate and showcase how constructive engagement and collaboration are making a positive difference in their workplaces.
Key dates for the CIPD in Ireland HR Awards 2027.
- 26 August 2026: Entries open
- 21 October 2026: Entries close
- 1 December 2026: Finalists announced
- 3 or 4 February 2027: Finalist interviews and second-round judging
- 5 March 2027: CIPD in Ireland HR Awards ceremony, Mansion House, Dublin
Further information on the awards and the entry process is available from The CIPD in Ireland
ENDS
Notes for editors
- Ireland’s Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining includes measures to support, recognise and promote good practice in collective bargaining.
- Action 7 of the Action Plan provides for the sponsorship of a Best Practice Award to recognise, celebrate and promote exemplary collective bargaining practices.
- The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the professional body for human resources and people development. CIPD in Ireland represents and supports the people profession and works to champion better work and working lives.
- The Excellence in Collective Bargaining Award is a new award category for the CIPD in Ireland HR Awards 2027 and is sponsored by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
- Entries for the CIPD in Ireland HR Awards 2027 open on 26 August 2026, with the awards ceremony taking place on 5 March 2027 at the Mansion House, Dublin.
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