asked Her Majesty’s Government:
On what basis and on whose authority the terms under which former civil servants of the Republic of Ireland who work in the United Kingdom in implementation bodies are decided; and whether details of such terms will be placed in the Library of the House. [HL922]
Former civil servants of the Republic of Ireland employed in north/south implementation bodies are either (i) those who were designated and transferred on the basis and under the terms provided for in Part 7, paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3, of the international agreement done on 8 March 1999 establishing the bodies and the relevant enabling legislation (the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999 in the Republic of Ireland and the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999), or (ii) those who were recruited directly to the body and to whom the normal terms and conditions of the body, as approved by the NSMC, apply, as they would to any applicant who is employed through open competition. On this latter point, the relevant NSMC approval was given on 26 September 2000 and terms are attached in the following table.
Terms applying to direct recruits to bodies in Northern Ireland.
The terms (including remuneration) which apply to staff of the bodies are based on those pertaining within the civil services, north and south, depending on the jurisdiction where the post is located.
Key non-pay terms Hours of work Minimum of 42 hours (over a five-day week) for a full-time post including daily meal break of one hour Annual leave Maximum of 30 days (30 days as standard for chief executives) Public and privilege holidays 12 days Sick pay Up to six months at full pay and six months at half pay subject to a ceiling of 12 months’ sick pay in any period of four years Pension North/south pension scheme Maternity leave 18 weeks Paternity leave Minimum two days; maximum three days Notice Minimum five weeks; maximum 13 weeks Age of retirement Minimum normal pensionable age of 60; maximum retirement age of 65 Compensation for early termination of contract Scheme being prepared by UK Government Actuary's Department on behalf of finance departments will be submitted to the NSMC for approval Medical retirement North/south pension scheme