Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) is eligible to be considered for the incentivised scheme for early retirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31289/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Members of all eligible grades in the health sector who meet the criteria set down in my Department's Circular 8/2009 have access to the ISER 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 ISER while still protecting services. Because staff who retire under the scheme 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 cooperation and flexibility in that regard is essential.

My Department understands that the directive issued by the majority of health service trade unions instructing their members not to cooperate with redeployment and reassignment requests from management is still in place. This instruction severely restricts the ability of management to organise/restructure work practice and contravenes the qualification criteria for the scheme. However, applications can still be made to the relevant employer in anticipation of a resolution of the industrial relations issues and a further Circular (17/2009) has issued extending the closing date of the incentivised scheme for early retirement to 16 October, 2009. Talks will continue on the issue and it is hoped that a satisfactory resolution will be found.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the problems being experienced by the Health Service Executive and the unions with regards to the introduction of the incentivised scheme for early retirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31290/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The problems being experienced by the Health Service Executive and the unions with the regard to the introduction of the incentivised scheme for early retirement have not yet been resolved.

As you may be aware, members of all eligible grades who meet the criteria set down in Circular 8/2009 have access to the ISER 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 ISER while still protecting services. Because staff who retire under the scheme 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 cooperation and flexibility in that regard is essential.

My Department understands that the directive issued by the majority of health service trade unions instructing their members not to cooperate with redeployment and reassignment requests from management is still in place. This instruction severely restricts the ability of management to organise/restructure work practice and contravenes the qualification criteria for the scheme. However, applications can still be made to the relevant employer in anticipation of a resolution of the industrial relations issues and a further Circular (17/2009) has issued extending the closing date of the incentivised scheme for early retirement to 16 October, 2009. Talks will continue on the issue and it is hoped that a satisfactory resolution will be found.