Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
960. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any mechanism in place within her 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; her views on the merits of such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34416/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Department does not have a formal scheme specifically designed to facilitate secondment of officers to equivalent roles within public services of other EU member states.
However, as part of the wider Civil Service, officers in this Department can access the centralised mechanisms in place that allow for civil servants to transfer on secondment to European Union institutions and bodies.
These include secondment arrangements such as Seconded National Expert (SNE) positions, which are coordinated centrally by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Officers on secondment remain employees of their parent department for the duration of the secondment with core employment and pension rights protected, in so far as is possible.
While the broader framework for civil service mobility is dealt with centrally, the Department supports the continued participation of staff in EU secondment opportunities, subject to operational requirements.
