Will the Government reverse the decision whereby former HSE workers who returned to work in the public sector have their pensions abated or reduced? I have seen a number of situations in my constituency, and I am sure it is the same around the country, involving workers who returned to help out with the Covid effort, for example by administering vaccines or, especially in south Kerry, helping with the south Kerry CAMHS situation, now facing major repayment bills totalling up to five figures and well above that in some cases..

Will that decision be reversed? Also, in trying to attract people to where we have shortages, it does not make sense to punish people in this way. I ask that the situation be examined and possibly reversed.

I acknowledge and thank the workers in Kerry and elsewhere who provided unprecedented public service at a time when we needed all workers on the front-line. We have a long-standing policy on abatement of pay for people who come back to the public service. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, co-ordinates wider pension and pay policy so I will reflect the matter raised by the Deputy with him. We have to have consistency with wider abatement policy within the public service and that is probably why this issue continues for many workers.