Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 286: To ask the Minister for Health the total number of persons who have applied for the Health Service Executive voluntary redundancy scheme; if he will provide a breakdown of applicants between management and administration and support staff; if he will provide a breakdown of applicants on a HSE area basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40247/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 287: To ask the Minister for Health the total amount of funding made available to the voluntary redundancy scheme in 2012; the estimated cost of the scheme in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40248/11]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together.

Firstly I would like to clarify that there is currently no voluntary redundancy or voluntary early retirement scheme available in the public health sector.

The 'grace period' during which the calculation of public service pensions is unaffected by the pay reductions applied under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) (No. 2) Act 2009 expires on 29 February 2012.

The HSE estimate that approximately 4,000 retirement estimate requests have been received in recent months. It is not possible to say how many of those who requested estimates will actually retire by the end of February 2012. Previous experience with voluntary exit schemes in 2010 has shown that many estimate requests do not translate into actual departures and therefore it would not be safe to draw any conclusions based on these figures.

However current data from the HSE indicates that approximately 1,500 individuals have applied to retire on or before 29 February 2012. This number is likely to increase over the next two months as additional employees give notice of their intention to retire in advance of the end of the 'grace period'.

In the 2012 Estimates, funding of €97m has been provided to fund additional lump sum payments in the health sector in 2012. Additional pension costs in 2012 will also be funded from within the HSE Vote.

It is likely to be February 2012 before an accurate profile of intended retirements is available.