We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
MINISTER FOR SOCIAL Protection Joan Burton has defended the government’s handling of public sector retirements and blamed the previous Fianna Fáil-led government for problems with the scheme.
Minister Burton was responding to a FF TD who said that the handling of the exits has been “shambolic”.
Michael McGrath criticised the government for the delay with figures for how many public sector workers would be retiring, despite the scheme being mooted for a year.
More than 2,000 people – many of them nurses – are due to retire from the health service alone by the end of the month.
Joan Burton said the government has been engaged in planning for the retirements but didn’t know the exact number of people availing of the scheme until last week.
She said that the figures could still change as people could change their minds and not proceed with their retirement.
“It’s merely allowing people to take advantage of the additional pension income they would derive as a consequence of taking their retirement earlier as set out by former Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan,” Burton told the Dáil this morning. She told McGrath:
“Why you would now express mystification of it is a bit odd but maybe you never understood it at the time and that’s why you’re befuddled now”.
The Minister said that she discussed the issue with the Secretary-General of the Department of Social Protection on a weekly basis.
Joan Burton took Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil this morning as Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore are in New York.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I get it now. The goverment are the intelligent ones and the public are the thickos who just dont understand how this thing works.
In fairness the government parties represent more of the public than Fianna Fail….not sure if you saw those election results.:)
Ah TOM really…… sure it’s no good being in government if every answer has the words Fianna Fail in it… ive heard nothing from the government but Fianna Fail this …Fianna Fail that…. when your buddy Mickie noonan finished his budget then the Fianna Fail blame game ended…..
BTW……i wont tell anyone that PHIL HOGAN has you on his facebook friends list…..ssshh
LOL @ election results.
They may represent you Tom but FG will never ever represent me, in fact I’m mortified you even suggest they represent me…mortified.
@Tom
Don’t forget that many voted for one of the government parties thinking they were voting for change…… Did they gt change? I don’t think so – the faces may be different but the spin & policies are the same.
Seriously, they must be reaching the end of the “big book of blame FF” by now.
at this stage, I think they’re writing the sequel themselves
the public are a bit thick as we keep voting in idiotic politicians every time.we are a gombeen nation unfortunately.
Are there anything other than idiot politicians?….. I’m not being smart here like….. what *real* choices are there?
Next election, I’ll probably be voting for Sinn Fein and independents, but I’m not under any illusions – the country and democracy seems severely crippled – if not dead.
It’s s bit sickening having to watch the fianna failers pretend they are the good guys. they should be told to shut up and be quiet. then again we have the current shower of gombeens stii using the old It’s not our fault excuse.
I think Joan Burton is one of our most capable politicians. At least she has a brain and is able to effectively articulate her point minus the shite other TDs waffle.
I used to think the same, not any more. If she has a brain she isn’t engaging it much beyond blaming Fianna Fail (rightly so but time to move on Joan).
I used to think she was a fool. Then I saw her on Vincent Browne, now I am certain she is a fool.
Nah, she is no fool. Completely out for herself and a total sell out yes, but a fool no.
agreed Paul. I only recently gave up on her too. Gave her a bit more slack as she was one of the few dissenting voices to the blanket bank guarantee; but now……………..
Labour have become completely caught up in the game. I think they’ll find out at next election.
WTF is it with this Government, still blaming the last pack of clowns for everything? We know what they were like, what they did, thankfully they are gone and hopefully just a footnote in history but as “the Kop” points out the, Budget /Finance bill of THIS government could have changed any policy position in relation to the retirement program if they so wished . The government of the DAY has a duty to all of its citizens vis-a-vis the continuity of vital public services over any sector interests. The uncomfortable truth is that people will DIE in this country because of pandering to unions etc. Wards will close, A&E have closed, remaining A&E are critically overcrowded, Nurses set to leave in their droves, consultants still get paid a qtr of mill a year for 30 hours a week, Prices still soar while service goes through the floor. Countless numbers being driven out of private schemes and further cripple the public system. Personally, I feel sorry for nurse I can see why they want to leave, but guys its you we need not surplus admin staff. The fact is the Labour party deem it more important that anyone who qualifies (by a standard they can set) regardless of their function can walk out the door. This is incredible if not surprising and the effrontery to be still blaming someone else, FFS
Its all our fault eh
We didnt seek alternatives
We didnt give ourselves alternatives
We had the power
We threw it away so we could continue watching X-Factor
The ‘X-Factor’ salute with crossed wrists is very reminiscent and uncannily replicative of the symbol used in George Orwell’s 1984. Ofcourse X Factor was run by a parasitic demi-God called Simon Cowell.
Whatever about her political ability etc., it must be said that “Why you would now express mystification of it is a bit odd but maybe you never understood it at the time and that’s why you’re befuddled now” is a great line!
IT’S A DICTATORSHIP!!! LOL
“Joan Burton took Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil this morning as Taoiseach ENDA KENNY and Tánaiste ENDA KENNY are in New York.”
Ahem. I clearly have Enda on the brain. Sorry about that – it’s been fixed in the text now.
Befuddled :D
clown..
Agree that FF don’t have a leg to stand on in questioning this, given the little reform they introduced to public sector over the last number of years. People trusted FG/Lab to actually be able to do something about this but are so far falling short. It is ridiculous that so many public servants are reitiring but being rehired as consultants!! It is no wonder people are disillusioned as well as those in the public sector. No scope of them moving up in their jobs over next few years even if they have upskilled and actually have the ability to take on more senior roles.
“Ireland’s answer to” fake opposition.
Mary Harney Mk. II.
Harney was out on her own ,unique, asspole…
Burton is a huge disappointment !!!
could they not have had bigger gap between the time of the final notice date, and point of. departure from service.
Joan Burton’s performance at Leaders Questions was cringe worthy and the snide remarks and joking was more akin to ill-mannered brats in kindergarden that some of the world’s highest paid politicians and all this when our country is on its knees.
another one for the list of traitors!
that’s 2 today!! Shatter and Burton.
Is that the same red dress she wore on her ill-fated Vinnie Browne appearance?
have your say