Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 6

Written Answers. - Relocation Expenses.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

100 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Finance the circumstances, if any, under which permanent State employees are entitled to compensation for moving offices; if his attention has been drawn to an agreement with at least one semi-State company which has offered its employees a tax paid lump sum of over £1,200 for moving from one part of Dublin to another; his views on whether State employees should be treated in the same way as semi-State employees in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2322/97]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

The Government decided, in 1983, that payment of disturbance compensation in public sector employments should be discontinued for moves which took place on or after 1 January 1984, subject to commitments entered into prior to that date being honoured. It was also decided that each member of the Government should ensure that the bodies under the aegis of his-her Department were made aware of the decision.

In relation to the specific agreement entered into by a semi-State body referred to in the Deputy's question, I can confirm that I have not previously been made aware of such an agreement. Given existing policy in this area, it is my view that all public sector employers, including semi-State bodies, should comply with the terms of the Government's decision on disturbance payments.