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Public Sector Pay

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Ceisteanna (293, 294, 295, 296, 297)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

293. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 21 October 2021, if a query (details supplied) will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53257/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joe Carey

Ceist:

294. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 21 October 2021, if a query (details supplied) will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53258/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joe Carey

Ceist:

295. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 21 October 2021, if a query (details supplied) will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53259/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joe Carey

Ceist:

296. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 21 October 2021, if a query (details supplied) will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53260/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joe Carey

Ceist:

297. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 21 October 2021, if a query (details supplied) will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53261/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 293, 294, 295, 296 and 297 together.

By way of background, I am advised by Revenue that the rationalisation and integration of General Service and Departmental Taxes grading structures in Revenue followed an extensive industrial relations negotiation and communications process more than 18 years ago, in the lead-up to Integration Day on 1 January 2003.

Revenue advises that the final integration proposal offer was published on RevNet, Revenue’s intranet, and was sent by email to all staff, in a period throughout which Revenue engaged in very extensive communications with staff and their representatives. During the same period, staff representatives held numerous information sessions and the final proposal was balloted and agreed by all Trade Unions representing Revenue staff members.

It is noted that the officer in question availed of various family friendly leave facilities over the 11-year period between 1988 and 2010, and that while stating that they had no access to RevNet or to home email during their time off, confirm they recall receiving various communications from their managers during their time off. As such, there is nothing to indicate that the officer was not notified of the proposals. However, Revenue does not hold postal or telephone records in this matter dating back to 2002/2003 and confirms that on the officer’s request in April 2021, the officer was provided with a copy of a letter dated 11 November 2002 from the then Chairman of Revenue, outlining the terms of the Integration Agreement proposal.

I am advised by Revenue that under the terms of the Integration Agreement, Clerical Officers who were on a Career Break on 1 January 2003 are not eligible to receive the Annual Personal to Holder (APTH) payment. This is because they were not serving in Revenue on 1 January 2003 (Integration Day), the designated date by reference to which eligibility for payment of the APTH was determined. As regards comparison between cases with different circumstances, eligibility under the provisions of the Integration Agreement is determined by the facts in each case. For example, maternity leave entitlements are a statutory right as provided for in the Maternity Act 2004 and there is no valid basis for comparison to be drawn between the case of any officer availing of that statutory entitlement and the case under query. The terms of the Integration Agreement are very clear as regards eligibility and there is no provision for payment of the APTH other than under the terms of the Integration Agreement.

Question No. 294 answered with Question No. 293.
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