Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too had a question for the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, but it seems that Elvis has left the building. Perhaps the support act could undertake to answer the question.

In a letter to the trade union representative of Irish Water workers last June that helped to avert industrial action, the Minister for housing, Deputy O'Brien, wrote that it was agreed that water workers, uniquely in the local authority sector, would have the option of availing of a voluntary severance scheme. For the workers who opt to remain with the local authorities, this option would remain open until the end of 2026. It would seem from that letter that workers can take voluntary severance or redundancy up to the end of 2026. However, some water workers that I represent in the local authority sector have been led to believe that there will be a redundancy scheme opened in the spring of next year, but only then, and that they will have to avail of it then in order to leave by September of 2024 at the latest. That seems to be at odds with the Minister's letter and I seek clarity on what exactly he meant and whether the workers can avail of severance up to 2026.

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