Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
461. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance 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. [34422/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department applies the provisions of Circular 33/1991, Special Leave without Pay to Take up an Appointment with an Institution of the European Communities or Other International Organisation of which Ireland is a Member, in respect of staff wishing to avail of special leave to take up roles in European and international institutions.
This Circular, as issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation provides for the possibility of incremental progression, subject to specified conditions.
In addition, staff that have availed of such special leave (under Circular 33/1991), may under Circular 4/2006, Purchase of Notional Service for Superannuation Purposes by Established Civil Servants and by Non-Established State Employees, purchase service, subject to the terms and conditions set out in that Circular and in particular paragraph 6 which sets out the arrangements for staff purchasing service on return from special leave.
