237. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will clarify if sanction was given by his Department for a deal balloted in 2025 (details supplied). [53371/26]

My Department has engaged with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage since late 2022 in relation to the transfer of staff from Ordinance Survey Ireland (OSI) into Tailte Éireann.

Public pay policy in this area allows for public servants assimilating into a new organisation to transfer to the equivalent general service grade where this is equal to or more beneficial than their current terms. Where this is not the case, the public servant may retain their current terms on a ‘personal to holder’ basis. Public pay policy in relation to such matters is grounded in the fair treatment of staff.

Since 2022, the advice provided by my Department has been consistent as to how it would implement the redeployment protocol for this group, which ensures that no staff member is disadvantaged by the redeployment process.

My Department did not sanction an alternative proposed regrading process undertaken by Tailte Éireann.

My Department seeks to ensure a consistent approach on pay policy across the civil and public service on such matters and is, and always has been, committed to resolving the issues that have arisen in line with pay policy and through established industrial relations mechanisms. There is no restriction on Tailte Éireann running recruitment competitions at the appropriate sanctioned general service grades.

Further engagement on these issues is best pursued with my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.