CE scheme ex-gratia payment applications open

THE application process for ex-gratia payments for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors has opened.

It has been welcomed by Deputy Dara Calleary who said: “This is great news for CE scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors in Mayo and throughout the country who, after a very long battle, have secured an ex-gratia pension payment for service provided to their respective schemes. This payment settles a Labour Court recommendation on pensions in respect of CE supervisors and assistant supervisors.”

The ex-gratia payment was agreed in December 2021 by the Department of Social Protection and the unions, SIPTU and Fórsa, representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.

It will benefit approximately 2,500 people employed by CE schemes and has a total cost of over €24 million.

On reaching retirement age, eligible CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors will receive a once off payment in respect of time employed by schemes.

Explained Deputy Calleary: “The CE ex-gratia payment will be calculated based on actual time worked, with periods of time spent in part-time employment calculated on a pro-rata basis.

“For CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors who qualify, this payment will be based on the salary scale point when the CE employment ceased. The payment is subject to a cap of €600 per week for a maximum of two weeks per year.

“The qualifying period for the payment is from July 1, 2008, to December 31, 2023.

“Department of Social Protection officials are currently communicating in writing with CE supervisors and assistant supervisors who may have an immediate entitlement to the scheme inviting them to apply for this payment and to those who retired since 2008.”