Downsizing of council set to escalate - Fifty staff members leaving and more to follow

Wednesday, 08 February 2012 10:21

Mr. Joe Beirne

Up to 50 members of staff are taking early retirement before the end of February to avail of pension incentives.

They include Joe Beirne, who is leaving the role of county engineer and director of capital services after over 30 years of loyal service.

Mr. Beirne, a native of Elphin, Co. Roscommon, worked with Galway County Council before taking up his senior post at Arás an Chontae in the early 1980s.

He served as interim county manager from December 2009 to May 2010 following the retirement of Des Mahon and before the permanent appointment of Peter Hynes.

A decision has yet to be made by Mr. Hynes in regard to whether or not the imminent vacancy of county engineer will be filled from within the ranks of the authority.

However, his departure reduces the number of directors of services to four. Mr. Beirne’s retirement will also leave the posts of electoral area manager in Belmullet and town manager in Westport vacant.

Interim appointments are expected to be announced in March before a decision is reached in regard to the long-term position.

Due to spending constraints and governmental policy, none of the council staff who are retiring will be replaced.

A further 212 council jobs are in jeopardy due to the pending transfer of the authority’s water and sewerage services worth €460 million to a new public body, Water Ireland.

Paddy Mahon, director of services, explained the implications for the council were far reaching.

Members of the council’s water and sewerage strategic policy committee made a submission to the government calling for local authorities to have an input into the running of the new entity.

A member of the committee, Councillor Rose Conway Walsh, said the transfer will result in the 212 staff members employed in the provision of water services having to leave the council over the next five years or being redeployed.

The Belmullet-based representative said there are many issues that need to be clarified, including the implications for planning and how new applications will be processed in a timely manner.

“Currently planners can communicate effectively and efficiently with colleagues within Mayo County Council regarding the availability and provision of water services.

“It is essential that new developments are determined by sustainable planning rather than the location of water services,” she argued.

Councillor Blackie Gavin, who is employed as a plumber by the council, said staff were genuinely worried about their futures.

He also argued that a public company like Water Ireland would not provide the same level of service to the public as the council.