The early retirement-voluntary severance schemes operated by Telecom Éireann are a day to day matter for the company.
The company has informed me, however, that the total number of staff who availed of these schemes in 1994 was 435 of which 97 availed of voluntary severance and 338 availed of early retirement. The corresponding figure in 1995 was 319 of which 136 availed of voluntary severance and 183 of early retirement.
The company expects that the pattern of staff reductions in 1996 will be similar to previous years.