Discussions over promotion sequences at executive officer level in Revenue will continue later this month. Fórsa has told management that too many open appointments are being made in some regions, including the border, the midlands, and the west.

 

The union says it will consider seeking a third party referral if managers continue to make high numbers of open appointments when staff are awaiting promotion from internal panels.

 

There is also concern over the number of direct clerical officer appointments in Nenagh. The posts have arisen on foot of the PAYE modernisation project. Fórsa says half of these posts should be filled by transfer in accordance with the agreement. But management argues that they are catching up with direct recruitment following years of filling posts mostly through transfer.

 

The union’s Revenue national committee will consider referring the matter to adjudication at its next meeting, which takes place in early March.

 

The committee is also to review staffing and grading issues across the regions, with particular reference to 1890 call staff in PAYE. Fórsa members have raised concerns about staffing levels, work pressures, and call monitoring.

 

Separately, the union has set out a detailed position to management on the introduction of GPS vehicle monitoring systems in enforcement vehicles. Fórsa has told management it will halt cooperation with vehicle monitoring if it is used inappropriately. The union also intends to seek the reintroduction of the driving allowance.

 

On a separate enforcement matter, Fórsa has this week cleared a circular which will open enforcement posts in Dublin Port to interdepartmental competition on a once-off basis. The union agreed to this on foot of difficulties with filling posts in Revenue.