Payments have finally commenced for retired HSE staff. That's according to Monaghan Senator Robbie Gallagher who raised the issue in the Seanad for Retired HSE workers who were overdue increases in the pension payments.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Senator Gallagher said; "Some 44,500 HSE workers, including hospital porters, doctors, physiotherapists, caterers and others had been waiting for increases in their pensions.
"Thousands of retired nurses, social workers and many others have been missing out on pension increases due to a problem with the HSE updating its computer system. Under the Building Momentum pay deal, these retirees are overdue two pay rises, one of which dates back to February last year, which is now a year ago. I understand the reason for the problem was the updating of the HSE payroll system.” Said Senator Gallagher.
“The net result is that the retirees and current workers were losing out on a significant amount of money. They are due money back and if one includes the two payments, it is somewhere in the region of €1,500 or €2,000. That is a significant amount of money, particularly considering the current issues with the cost of living. The public service colleagues, including gardaí, teachers and many others, have already received this payment. It was unfair that healthcare workers, who we rightly lauded during the ongoing pandemic and who have worked so hard through the years, would find themselves out of pocket and without this significant amount of money.
“I now understand that issues have been resolved, that people will get the money they are entitled to and that payments have already commenced.”
