asked the Minister for the Marine if his Department are seeking redundancies among the fishery protection officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Public Service Redundancy Scheme.
29.
In line with the terms of the Programme for National Recovery the Government decided to extend the voluntary early retirement scheme to all personnel aged 50 or over in the Civil Service, health boards and non-commercial State sponsored bodies including the central and regional fisheries boards.
This scheme is available to all staff over age 50 with the proviso that the scheme will not be available to personnel whose retention is necessary for the discharge of essential public services or avoidance of loss to the Exchequer.
Staff of the central and regional fisheries board have been advised of the availability of the scheme and to date 22 members of staff have availed of the opportunities afforded by the terms of the scheme.