Rank-and-file gardaí have voted to accept a Labour Court recommendation on improved pay and conditions which last month averted strike action.

The Government estimates the deal will cost €50m.

The proposals were accepted by over 75% of the Garda Representative Association and turnout was 68%.

The result will be greeted with some relief in Government and garda circles as the prospect of an all-out garda strike on pay and conditions has now receded.

The GRA, which represents over 10,000 rank-and-file gardaí, had threatened to withdraw their labour last month, along with members of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors.

An intervention by the Labour Court resulted in the offer of a deal which includes the resumption of and an increase in rent allowance, payment for briefings before duty and a payment in lieu of annual leave.

The deal means additional monies for all gardaí.

The GRA Central Executive Committee will meet tomorrow morning to discuss the implications of the outcome.

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald welcomed the outcome of the ballot, saying it is in "the best interests of An Garda Síochána and the community they serve so well".

She added: "No-one, be it the Government, gardaí themselves or the public, wanted to see industrial action that would have damaged the hard-earned reputation of An Garda Síochána."

Ms Fitzgerald also said her department now looks forward to working with the GRA towards progressing access to the statutory resolution bodies and their engagement with the Public Service Pay Commission.

Under the proposals, rent allowance for gardaí of around €4,000 will be increased from January next because of the "evolving" rental market by €500 per year.

The allowance, which was abolished for newer recruits some years ago, will be restored to them from that date and will be integrated into the pay of all gardaí resulting in a boost to overtime and premium payments.

A 15-minute handover period between shifts, known as "pre-tour briefings", will also be introduced for which gardaí will receive a payment worth around €1,459 a year.

The Labour Court, chaired by Kevin Foley, said it understood that the operation of the administration of justice diminished the certainty of approved annual leave for gardaí because of the requirement for them to attend court hearings even at short notice when on approved leave.

It recommended that in light of that uncertainty, gardaí should receive a €15 payment for each day of annual leave.

The Labour Court also recommended that any outstanding issues, including the claim for a 39-hour week, should be addressed through further engagement with the Workplace Relations Commission, with the possibility of finalising matters with the assistance of the court by no later than 30 June 2017.

The court declined to make any recommendation on pay restoration in light of the role of the Public Service Pay Commission and an ongoing review of industrial relations due to be completed by mid-December.

The result of the ballot by sergeants and inspectors is due tomorrow. As the AGSI executive recommended acceptance of the deal, its members are also expected to vote in favour.