Fórsa has confirmed that a mechanism to allow water services workers in local authorities to apply for voluntary severance has been established, following a meeting of the Irish Water Consultative Group (IWCG). 

The Framework, which outlines the transfer of water services from local authorities to Uisce Éireann, sets out the process for local authority water services staff who wish to remain as local authority workers, and also provides that a voluntary severance scheme will be made available to local authority water services workers. Following engagement, staff will now be provided with the opportunity to express an interest in availing of the voluntary severance scheme.

Details of the scheme will be outlined in a circular that will issue to workers no later than Tuesday 6th February 2024, alongside a calculator that will allow workers to get an estimate of how much the scheme is worth to them.

Head of Local Government and Local Services and the Municipal Employees’ Divisions Richy Carrothers welcomed this progress, saying that it is “a positive step and one the union group has worked hard to secure.” 

Elsewhere, the group of unions has once again raised the issue of staff shortages in water services and the potentially significant impact of the decision to end all acting and fixed term contracts in water services on the 31 March 2024. 

The union side has continued to press the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) to ensure that the public water services are sufficiently resourced, and that where staff vacancies arise, they are filled in line with the terms of the framework.

“Members will be aware from the updates provided that we have repeatedly raised concerns over this. We pointed to the damaging impact of this decision and, following these representations, Uisce Éireann and the LGMA have agreed to bring forward proposals to address the issue at the next meeting of the IWCG,” explained Richy. 

A further update will issue to members after the meeting of the IWCG on the 19 February 2024.

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