The Department of Education and Skills confirmed to TUI over the summer that the facility to retire in 2011 had been extended to all public service employees.  A Statutory Instrument to this effect was enacted for all public service employees.

It now appears that as a result of the union’s decision in relation to the Croke Park Agreement that this is being reconsidered by Government. In a statement on Wednesday October 13th to Seanad Eireann the Minister of State Dara Calleary, TD made the following statement.

I want now to come to the position of those unions that have chosen to stay outside the Agreement and to maintain their opposition to its implementation.  The Government considers that any party that chooses to remain outside the provisions of the Agreement or that opposes its implementation cannot expect to benefit from the commitments it gave as part of the Agreement. The principal commitments given were to no reductions in pay, no compulsory redundancies and an extension of the period within which the January 2010 pay reductions will be disregarded for the purposes of calculating public service pension entitlements to the end of 2011. 

I want to encourage members of those unions or associations that have stayed outside the process to consider their position carefully.  Requests for renegotiation of parts of the Agreement or the Government’s agenda for transformation of the public services will not be entertained.  But progress can be made, and perhaps some reassurance given, when the practical application of the proposals is worked through between management and unions.   

Any person who was relying on the commitment of the Government that they could avail of the retirement salary of 2009 for their retirement in 2011 must reconsider the position.All members should be advised to this effect with utmost urgency.