Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
755. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection 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. [34430/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department supports the secondment of staff to the institutions of the European Union in accordance with DPENDR Circulars 2/1976, 33/1991 and 27/2021, in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Department currently have one officer who is seconded to the European Commission as a Seconded National Expert (SNE). Additionally, we have one officer who is seconded to the European Commission through the National Experts in Professional Training (NEPT) programme. We also have a number of staff members who are currently working in the Department, who were previously seconded to the EU.
For the duration of these secondments, the officers remain employees of my Department and their pension and employment rights are fully maintained.
My Department will continue to support civil servants to avail of these opportunities as it recognises the value that such placements offer, towards:
• strengthening the capacity of my Department to deliver its objectives, by building on our knowledge of existing and emerging EU policies and developments of relevance to our work;
• building on our knowledge of the working of EU institutions, while fostering relationships with the EU and with other member states;
• further identifying opportunities for collaboration with the EU institutions;
• career development opportunities for seconded officers.
The networks and knowledge built up by officers seconded to the EU, are also of significant relevance as we prepare for the forthcoming Presidency of the European Council.
