Written answers

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Public Sector Staff

8:00 pm

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 76: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding circular LP 6/7/2001; his views on the appropriateness of required notice periods in the public sector; his plans to require for additional notice of early retirement to be given by senior public servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11199/12]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Circular letter LP 6/7/2011 provides that civil service staff should give a three-month notice period of their intention to retire in the period up to and including 29 February 2012. Other sectors of the public service have adopted a similar approach to a notice period.

The three month notice period was introduced as a temporary measure to assist management across the public service in dealing with the large number of retirements of staff in the run up to the end of the "grace period" - i.e. the period during which the calculation of pension is unaffected by the pay reductions applied under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No 2) Act 2009.

In order to protect public services it was critical that management in each of the sectors had knowledge of the numbers of staff retiring and the business areas that might be affected by potentially large scale departures.

We are required under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding with the EU/ECB/IMF to make quarterly returns on the progress being made in relation to reductions in numbers in the public service. Accurate and early information on forthcoming retirements is an important part of this reporting requirement. It provides us with information on whether the reduction in the public service pay bill arising from impending retirements is sufficient to meet Ireland's commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding.

It is my intention to issue a revised instruction in relation to notice requirements for retirements and resignations which take place after 29th February 2012. As numbers reduce across the public service it will remain critical that management know when key staff will be leaving their organisation.

In addition, the Memorandum of Understanding will continue to be a driver in the continuing effort to reduce public service numbers. It is important, therefore, that we continue to have the most up-to-date information possible with regard to retirements going forward.

It is anticipated that discussions with the civil service unions on the introduction of a required notice period will commence shortly. The question of senior civil servants and key personnel giving longer notice will also be examined and, if necessary, will be provided for.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.