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Public Sector Staff Redundancies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013

Tuesday, 3 December 2013

Questions (317)

Peter Mathews

Question:

317. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Defence the reason retired Army officers can enter further employment once retired from the Army, but other civilians who take voluntary redundancy cannot enter employment in the public sector for two years after receiving redundancy packages, or work for contractors who are contracted to work for any public department or agency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51761/13]

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Written answers

Following the receipt of sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), the Department recently introduced a voluntary redundancy scheme targeted towards civilian employees (State industrial grades) attached to military installations arising from the rationalisation of the brigade structure in the Defence Forces and the reduced requirement for particular grades/skills in the civilian workforce. The general terms of the voluntary redundancy scheme are as set out in the Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants dated 28 June 2012 which was agreed between DPER and the Public Services Committee of ICTU. Employees who avail of the voluntary redundancy scheme are not eligible for re-employment in the public service by any public service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interests Acts 2009 – 2013) for a period of 2 years from their date of departure. Thereafter, the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will be required prior to re-employment. These provisions also apply in the case of engagement/employment on a contract for service basis (either as a contractor or an employee of a contractor).

The instructions issued by DPER concerning redundancy payments to public servants do not apply in the case of army officers who avail of their normal superannuation entitlements. However, the pension paid to any retired army officer who is re-employed in the Public Service following the enactment of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 may, in common with pension payments to all other retired public servants, be subject to abatement.

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