Garda strike

[seafoid]

Do I agree with a full restoration of pay? No but I would like to see a far more productive efficient PS. However that shouldn't be interpreted as a blanket statement saying they are all inefficient. You couldn't argue that, for example, junior doctors don't work hard.

The problem is that efficiency in the public is never discussed. There is no intention either to eliminate poor productivity nor reward high productivity. For instance, in the Gardai the computer section is hugely understaffed, no doubt because these IT whizzkids have a lot of alternative employment opportunities and need to be paid the going rate. This hugely impacts on productivity in general, but nobody seems to think that this must be fixed forthwith. The health service is riddled with this kind of thing.

The debate is dysfunctional. People are mixing up labour market issues with public policies on taxation, welfare etc. So the payment of a higher salary to a Garda computer specialist is an "insult" to pensioners, when of course the analysis these people do would stop people robbing pensioners. And the payment of a higher salary to radiographers to stop them going to Australia is an "insult" to pensioners, although it means longer queues for old people in the health service.

In particular, the Gardai get ridiculous pensions at 50, there must be a model to pay a bit more while they are working and providing a more normal pension.

PS retirement ages are a joke. Kevin McStay has retired from the Army. That pension will probably be paid for longer than he ever worked. Pensions are not supposed to work like that. There is no such thing as a free lunch

[Tony Baloney]

Do I agree with a full restoration of pay? No but I would like to see a far more productive efficient PS. However that shouldn't be interpreted as a blanket statement saying they are all inefficient. You couldn't argue that, for example, junior doctors don't work hard.

The problem is that efficiency in the public is never discussed. There is no intention either to eliminate poor productivity nor reward high productivity. For instance, in the Gardai the computer section is hugely understaffed, no doubt because these IT whizzkids have a lot of alternative employment opportunities and need to be paid the going rate. This hugely impacts on productivity in general, but nobody seems to think that this must be fixed forthwith. The health service is riddled with this kind of thing.

The debate is dysfunctional. People are mixing up labour market issues with public policies on taxation, welfare etc. So the payment of a higher salary to a Garda computer specialist is an "insult" to pensioners, when of course the analysis these people do would stop people robbing pensioners. And the payment of a higher salary to radiographers to stop them going to Australia is an "insult" to pensioners, although it means longer queues for old people in the health service.

In particular, the Gardai get ridiculous pensions at 50, there must be a model to pay a bit more while they are working and providing a more normal pension.

PS retirement ages are a joke. Kevin McStay has retired from the Army. That pension will probably be paid for longer than he ever worked. Pensions are not supposed to work like that. There is no such thing as a free lunch

I have heard of a senior guard who took "enforced" retirement at 55 on a 6-figure pension. No hardship there.

[seafoid]

Questions for/comments from striking Gardai

Have you drink taken ?
Is this your political vehicle?
Where are you coming from ?
Go on, sure I'll have a payrise
Do you have any idea how much economic damage you are doing ?

[armaghniac]

PS retirement ages are a joke. Kevin McStay has retired from the Army. That pension will probably be paid for longer than he ever worked. Pensions are not supposed to work like that. There is no such thing as a free lunch

This is a joke, if he got a significant payment while doing this. The general run of PS retirements where you work for 40+ years is reasonable enough. These soundbite statements gathering all cases into one is part of the problem.

[seafoid]

PS retirement ages are a joke. Kevin McStay has retired from the Army. That pension will probably be paid for longer than he ever worked. Pensions are not supposed to work like that. There is no such thing as a free lunch

This is a joke, if he got a significant payment while doing this. The general run of PS retirements where you work for 40+ years is reasonable enough. These soundbite statements gathering all cases into one is part of the problem.

People who start working at 17 should not be allowed retire at 57 unless they are absolutely bolloxed.
Pen pushers have very high life expectancy in retirement and can easily live 35 years as pensioners.
And pensions were not designed for that.
There are huge social justice issues as well when new teachers are on inferior contracts cos their parents wouldn't share.

Pat Spillane is also retired. Age 60

[shark]

PS retirement ages are a joke. Kevin McStay has retired from the Army. That pension will probably be paid for longer than he ever worked. Pensions are not supposed to work like that. There is no such thing as a free lunch

This is a joke, if he got a significant payment while doing this. The general run of PS retirements where you work for 40+ years is reasonable enough. These soundbite statements gathering all cases into one is part of the problem.

Just to point out, the Army Officer pension that McStay, and many others, retired on (after I guess over 30 years service in his case) was withdrawn for any new entrants from 2004 onwards. Subsequent entrants get nothing until they are 60. McStay will never be entitled to the old age pension either which is important to note.

[seafoid]

PS retirement ages are a joke. Kevin McStay has retired from the Army. That pension will probably be paid for longer than he ever worked. Pensions are not supposed to work like that. There is no such thing as a free lunch

This is a joke, if he got a significant payment while doing this. The general run of PS retirements where you work for 40+ years is reasonable enough. These soundbite statements gathering all cases into one is part of the problem.

Just to point out, the Army Officer pension that McStay, and many others, retired on (after I guess over 30 years service in his case) was withdrawn for any new entrants from 2004 onwards. Subsequent entrants get nothing until they are 60. McStay will never be entitled to the old age pension either which is important to note.

Nobody in the private sector has a pension scheme like that

[shark]

PS retirement ages are a joke. Kevin McStay has retired from the Army. That pension will probably be paid for longer than he ever worked. Pensions are not supposed to work like that. There is no such thing as a free lunch

This is a joke, if he got a significant payment while doing this. The general run of PS retirements where you work for 40+ years is reasonable enough. These soundbite statements gathering all cases into one is part of the problem.

Just to point out, the Army Officer pension that McStay, and many others, retired on (after I guess over 30 years service in his case) was withdrawn for any new entrants from 2004 onwards. Subsequent entrants get nothing until they are 60. McStay will never be entitled to the old age pension either which is important to note.

Nobody in the private sector has a pension scheme like that

Of course not, they are unsustainable. I was just pointing out that those type of pensions no longer exist. Entrants now will retire on 'number of year's service' divided by 80, multiplied by 'average 1 year career earnings'. That is already a massive change.  Think about what a 2016 new entrant soldier's pension will be like in 40 years time. Years of earning €20-25k will fairly pull down the average, even if he/she should clime to the highest rank possible and finish on circa €50k.

[armaghniac]

People who start working at 17 should not be allowed retire at 57 unless they are absolutely bolloxed.

In general they can't, they can can either get a reduced pension or wait until 65 to get the full pension.
There should be enough to criticise in pensions without making it up as well.

Pat Spillane is also retired. Age 60

He might not be bollixed, but some think he is a bollix.

[orangeman]

Strike called off.


Nurses up next.

[seafoid]

They got more money.
Pricktease Síochána

[seafoid]

Teachers are now agitating

[seafoid]

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/colm-mccarthy/public-sector-pay-deals-will-lead-to-fresh-fiscal-disaster-35191635.html