Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
810. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding any mechanism in place within his Department that allows for civil servants to transfer on secondment to an equivalent role within the European Union, without negatively impacting their pension and other employment rights; his views on the merits of such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34427/26]
View answerThis Department strongly supports “A Career for EU” the Government’s strategy aimed at increasing Irish representation in roles across the European Union. The Department supports the temporary transfer of civil servants to European Union Institutions by facilitating applications under the Seconded National Expert (SNE) programme when vacancies for positions which have a strategic relevance to this Department arise. The duration of these assignments can vary but usually do not exceed 4 years. This Department currently has three officers on assignment to SNE positions, two in Brussels, Belgium and one in Tallinn, Estonia.
This Department also supports applications for the National Experts in Professional Training (NEPT) programme which is a bi-annual training scheme with 3-5 month placements commencing in Spring and Autumn each year. This programme provides civil servants with an understanding of the work of the European Commission. The Department currently has one officer participating in the current NEPT programme.
A staff member of this Department assigned to any role in the EU through the mechanisms as outlined above continue to be treated as a staff member of this Department for the purposes of pay, pension and internal promotion opportunities. Additional allowances for these roles are paid either by the EU Institution or by this Department as the method for the payment of allowances can vary.
The skills and experience obtained by members of this Department through these assignments to the EU have the potential to benefit not only this Department but the wider Civil Service and the assignments serve to provide a greater understanding about the EU and it’s institutions.
