The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has extended the closing date for the voluntary redundancy scheme for local authority water services staff. This will now remain open until the 30th September 2024. 

In a Circular letter, published last week, the Department advised that the extension is being provided following a request from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), and in consultation with the County and City Management Association (CCMA). 

Head of Fórsa’s Local Government and Local Services and Municipal Employees’ Divisions Richy Carrothers explained that the extension was granted considering ongoing discussions regarding the terms of transfer of certain water services grades to Uisce Éireann. 

“There is ongoing engagement regarding the transfer of local authority water workers to Uisce Éireann, in particular issues pertaining to some cohorts of staff. This extended deadline will allow these discussions to conclude, and all local authority water workers may then make an informed decision on the options available to them,” he said.

The scheme, which was due to close last Sunday (30th June) is provided for under the Framework for the future delivery of water services, which outlines the transfer of water services from local authorities to Uisce Éireann. It works to facilitate the exit of local authority workers who, since 1st January 2024 are under the direction of Uisce Éireann and who do not want to become an employee of Uisce Éireann or who do not wish to be reassigned to an alternative role within their local authority. Applications for voluntary redundancy can now be made until 30th September 2024.

The scheme applies to all local authority water services staff who spend over 50% of their work on water services, are under preserved pension age at 30th June 2024 and who have already accrued entitlement to preserved superannuation benefits under a local government pension scheme. Richy said that Fórsa has worked hard to secure this scheme for local authority water workers. 

“This is an integral part of the framework and one we have worked hard for. It’s important to note that there is no automatic right to redundancy, but all applications will be considered by local authorities in the context of the Framework. Importantly, there will be no compulsory redundancies and workers continue to have choices available to them in terms of reassignment within their local authority or to transition or redeploy to Uisce Éireann. Water services staff opting to stay within their local authority will be reassigned to work within grade as per the agreement,” explained Richy.

The terms of the scheme provides for:

a) Severance payment of 3 weeks’ pay per year of actual service plus statutory entitlement under the Redundancy Payments Acts, or the equivalent, subject to an overall limit of:
                           (i) 2 years pay; or, if less,
                           (ii) one-half of the salary payable to preserved pension age.
b) Preserved pension and lump sum payable on attaining preserved pension age (60 or 65, as appropriate).

A decision on applications will be made by the relevant Director of Services in each local authority as soon as practicable after the closing date.
More information on the scheme can be found here, and you can view FAQs here.