Sinn Féin councillor Thérèse Ruane has called for an end to the practice of serving secretaries general receiving massive pension payoffs.
Cllr Ruane said: “It is an absolute disgrace that yet another outgoing secretary general will retire early on a full pension worth €114,000 a year on top of a lump sum pay off that is for most the equivalent of winning the Lotto.
“Fine Gael and Labour promised a new day on entering government yet it is business as usual. Those at the top of the public sector get massive pay and pensions whilst the front line is decimated by cuts to staff and funding.
“Labour Minister Brendan Howlin TD has options,” The Castlebar councillor added. “He could rescind the practice of added years and special severance gratuity payments to retiring secretaries general under the Superannuation and Pension Act of 1963.
“Minister Howlin could also introduce additional bands to the Public Service Pension Reduction targeting retired public servants on excessive pensions. Let’s not forget there are currently over 100 retired civil servants in receipt of pensions in excess of €100,000 per year. Yet the majority of retired civil and public sector workers receive very modest pensions.
“If this Government is serious about public sector reform it needs to step up and tackle the culture of entitlement that prevails among the top layer of the public sector.”
