asked the Minister for the Environment if he will explain the differences, if any, between the severance arrangements available for servants of local authorities if they lose their jobs as a result of cutbacks, and those available for officers of local authorities in the same situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Severance Arrangements.
41.
I would refer the Deputy to the very full reply given on 5 November, 1987 to Questions Nos. 68, 33, 41, 44, 51 and 61, by the Minister for Finance in which he gave the complete details of the terms of the voluntary redundancy/early retirement package which is designed to apply over the entire public sector, including local authorities. The summary of the package which has been circulated with that reply indicates the terms available under the various categories.
The main differences in so far as officers and employees (servants) are concerned occur in relation to staff with at least 5 years and less than 40 years service, taking account of the different rates of PRSI payable by them. As the Deputy is aware, a local authority officer pays modified PRSI and an employee (servant) pays full PRSI. The various options available to staff in this category are set out fully in the very comprehensive statement circulated by the Minister for Finance and I would refer the Deputy in particular to the details given at (3), (4) and (5) in cols. 2593 to 2596 of the Official Report of 5 November 1987.