I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that it is expected that around 226 Full Time Equivalent staff will have retired between January and the end of February 2012. The estimated number of individuals (headcount) to retire is 251. These numbers are subject to change as those who have indicated they intend to retire may change their mind before the end of February deadline. Others may choose to retire who have not already applied.
The Revenue staff retiring are from across all locations and functional areas.
The following Table 1 gives an indication of the locations from which Revenue staff are retiring.
Table 1: Revenue retirements by location (Headcount)
|
Location
|
Retirement Headcount
|
|
Dublin
|
120
|
|
Limerick
|
18
|
|
Louth
|
14
|
|
Tipperary
|
13
|
|
Waterford
|
13
|
|
Galway
|
10
|
|
Donegal
|
9
|
|
Cork
|
8
|
|
Sligo
|
8
|
|
Clare
|
7
|
|
Cavan/Monaghan
|
6
|
|
Kerry
|
5
|
|
Offaly/Westmeath
|
5
|
|
Mayo
|
5
|
|
Wexford
|
4
|
|
Kilkenny
|
3
|
|
Kildare/Meath/Wicklow
|
3
|
The following Table 2 gives and indication of the functional areas of the retiring staff:
Table 2: Revenue retirements by functional areas
|
Function Area
|
|
|
Operational (Collection/Debt Management/ Compliance/Customer Service)
|
197
|
|
Legislation and interpretation
|
19
|
|
Support (Planning/Corporate Services)
|
19
|
|
Information and Communications Technology and Logistics
|
16
|
The loss of so many skilled and experienced staff will undoubtedly impact on the service provided by Revenue. The Revenue Commissioners are subject to the Employment Control Framework staffing reductions in line with Government targets to reduce public service numbers. However, I recognise the need to replace the loss of key skills and experience in Revenue while meeting the existing Employment Control Framework allocations. An effective tax collection system is an essential element of our fiscal consolidation requirements and is critical to the successful achievement of the Government's objectives in the context of the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland. In that context, I have asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to consider reducing Revenue's target staff numbers over a longer time period, whilst at the same time allowing Revenue to replace critical skills and experience.
