Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
260. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of WRC inspectors; how many more inspectors it is planned to hire in 2024; and how many are expected to retire. [2839/24]
View answerThere are currently 63 WRC Inspectors, comprising 55 EO Inspectors and 8 Inspector Team Managers (ITM) at the HEO level. Additionally, there are 6 vacancies at the EO Inspector level and 1 ITM
Workforce planning has identified a requirement for an additional 10 Inspectors, bringing the total number of WRC Inspectors to 80. My Department continually plans recruitment campaigns to fill all Departmental vacancies including those at the WRC. An internal competition to identify suitable candidates for assignment as a WRC Inspector occurred during December 2023, and further plans are being finalised to recruit Inspectors for all regions during 2024.
All WRC Inspectors are required to provide a minimum notice period of one month of their intention to retire. My Department has been notified of one upcoming inspector retirement to take place during 2024.
It should be noted by the Deputy that retirement age under the Public Service Superannuation Schemes and Acts varies depending on the date of entry to the civil or public service. The range of options for retirement can vary from age 50 under the Cost Neutral Early Retirement Scheme to compulsory retirement age of 70 for those who joined the civil or public service before 2004 and on or after 1 January 2013.
For civil and public servants whose superannuation terms are in accordance with the The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2004 Act. This Act removed the compulsory retirement age for certain categories of new entrants. These public servants who are deemed to be ‘New Entrants’ in accordance with 2004 Act generally have a minimum pension age of 65 and have no compulsory retirement age. Those public servants who are deemed not to be ‘New Entrants’ in accordance with the 2004 Act generally have a minimum pension age of 60 and a compulsory retirement age of 70. Members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme have a minimum retirement at of 66 but must retire at 70.
My Department engages with annual workforce plan exercises to ensure that effective succession planning is underway for all areas of the Department including at the Workplace Relations Commission.
