Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 1

Written Answers. - Sligo Civil Defence.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

68 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Defence the reason a clerk/typist (details supplied) in the regional Civil Defence Office in Sligo being offered a voluntary redundancy because of the closure of the Civil Defence office in Sligo, and the unavailability of suitable alternative employment, is not being given any added years in computing the redundancy terms despite the fact that she has served a total of 29 years and has given excellent service under six RCDO's continually taking on clerical duties above and beyond her own grade, and despite the fact that it is the common practice to give added years for such calculations for people who have served over 20 years.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Wilson)

The terms of the voluntary redundancy scheme applicable to Public Sector employees paying full PRSI do not provide for added years in the calculation of benefits.

The Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for such employees who are under 60 years with at least 5 years' and less than 40 years' service, provides options as follows:

Option A

A preserved lump sum and pension payable at age 60 plus statutory entitlements under the Redundancy Payments Acts plus 2 weeks' pay per year of service (severance gratuity).

Option B

Immediate payment of lump sum and pension (based on actual service) plus statutory entitlements under the Redundancy Payments Acts plus supplementary severance gratuity, equal to the difference between, (a) statutory entitlements under the Redundancy Payments Acts and (b) a severance gratuity in respect of potential service to age 65 where the amount of such gratuity exceeds Statutory Redundancy (but payable only in cases where the amount at (b) above exceeds Redundancy Acts entitlements.)

The person referred to by the Deputy has been offered the redundancy terms outlined above. These are the maximum terms allowed under the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme. The possibility of offering the person concerned alternative employment in Sligo was considered but was not pursued as the person indicated that her preference was for voluntary redundancy.