Vol. 491 No. 2
119 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have arrangements made to resolve a difficulty in relation to an early retirement claim for a person (details supplied) in County Meath who has worked for over 34 years in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11612/98]
The pilot early retirement scheme for nurses was introduced as part of the agreement on conditions and pay for nurses under the PCW. The scheme is open to nurses aged 55 years or over who have 35 years or more wholetime reckonable service for pension purposes on or after 28 February 1997. Only nurses who meet the eligibility criteria may participate in the scheme. The operation of the scheme is a matter in the first instance for the health agency involved. All applications from eligible nurses are considered by the nurses' employer and applications are approved or otherwise by that employer. In relation to the case referred to by the Deputy, the position is that the nurse concerned first approached the hospital where she was employed with a view to applying for the pilot early retirement scheme in July 1997. The nurse was informed at that stage that she did not satisfy the terms of the scheme. Staff representatives requested that the hospital put forward a case to my Department for granting the nurse early retirement on the basis that she was the only employee at the hospital who had expressed interest in the scheme. The hospital has informed my Department that at no time did it give a guarantee that the nurse would be granted early retirement under the pilot scheme. Only employees who are eligible for the scheme may be granted early retirement, and the Department of Finance has confirmed to my Department that the requirement of 35 years service is essential.
