Employment practices in the civil service
Posted February 7th, 2013It’s important when there is such high unemployment in the country, that we ensure that new jobs go to new or existing people in the workforce where possible. I believe it’s important that we preference these people over those whom have retired. I think it’s particularly important when it comes to the public sector given that the State is the employer.
At the same time though, we have to recognise that there are people who have retired from active employment who have a particular skill set, expertise or experience that is essential to different areas of government business. And these people may indeed have to be re-engaged and re-employed, to the benefit of what the State is trying to achieve.
I receive complaints from time to time alleging that the public sector, or the civil service, are re-hiring people who have retired from the public sector (and whom we might then effectively be paying twice). This government has sought to put an end to this practice (though anecdotally I understand it is still an issue in education for example).
So, I thought I would question each of the Departments to get to the truth of the matter insofar as their operations are concerned. And I think you’ll find the answers to be quite interesting. For instance, many people may not be aware of the abatement principle, which we have put into effect. The abatement principle ensures that the fee paid plus pension does not exceed the rate of pay the pensioner would receive if he/she had continued service in their former post, and this applies to payments as appropriate.
And, in fact, it is only in place in a limited number of areas because there is only a very small amount of people currently employed or financially engaged by the government to whom it could apply.
Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Environment, Community and Local Government
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