Written answers

Tuesday, 23 June 2009

Department of Health and Children

Departmental Staff

10:00 pm

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 193: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details on the special incentive career break scheme in the Health Service Executive; the eligibility criteria for the scheme; if there are any restrictions to the Scheme; if there is a closing date for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24499/09]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 197: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number that have applied under the incentivised schemes for early retirement, career break and shorter working year as detailed in the relevant Health Service Executive human resources circulars 16, 17 and 18; if these schemes have been suspended and the reason for same; when she expects to be in a position to announce the resumption of these schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24514/09]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 197 together.

My Department issued a suite of three circulars to the HSE on 15 May 2009, which provided for the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (8/2009), the Incentivised Career Break Scheme (Circular 9/2009) and the Shorter Working Year (10/2009), as announced by the Minister for Finance in his Supplementary Budget Statement of 7 April 2009.

The purpose of these circulars is to facilitate a permanent, structural reduction in the numbers of staff employed along with an associated restructuring of organisation and operations, in as timely a manner as possible and in line with the 2009 Employment Control Framework for the Public Health Sector. While the reduction in numbers achieved under these schemes is intended to contribute significant and ongoing savings to the Exchequer, this must be done in a way that does not undermine essential service provision.

The schemes do not apply, therefore, to grades exempted from the moratorium on recruitment and promotions under the 2009 Employment Control Framework for the Public Health Sector in order to meet the requirements of integrated health care delivery and, in particular, to address needs in the community in respect of care of the elderly and people with disabilities.

Members of all other grades who meet the eligibility criteria will have access to these schemes, provided the grades/staff groups concerned cooperate with the requirements in relation to redeployment, mobility, skill mix and flexibility which are outlined in the employment control framework: this is designed to allow individuals to avail of the schemes while still protecting services. Because staff who retire under the schemes will not be replaced (save in very exceptional cases), employers must pay particular attention, when considering applications, to the scope that exists within the organisation for reorganising and restructuring work in order to minimise the impact on essential service delivery. Staff co-operation and flexibility in that regard is essential.

My Department has been informed by the HSE that the majority of health service trade unions have recently issued a directive instructing their members not to cooperate with redeployment and reassignment requests from management. This instruction severely restricts the ability of management to organise/restructure work practice and contravenes the qualification criteria for the scheme.

However, I understand that applications can still be made to the relevant employer in anticipation of a resolution of the industrial relations issues. Applications can be made under the ISER scheme from the 18th May to the 18th September with a final leaving date of 30th November. Applications can be made under the Special Incentive Career Break scheme from 18th May to the 1st July, with a commencement date no later than 1st September 2009, except in certain circumstances such as the person being on maternity leave or the business needs of the work area. There is no closing date for the Shorter Working Year scheme.

The HSE have provided the following data in relation to the number of enquiries made and applications received in respect of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement and the Special Incentive Career Break Scheme, as at 15 June 2009.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.