943. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will commit to reviewing Circular 7/2018 to take into account the experiences of low paid workers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61889/26]

Circular 07/2018, Recovery of Salary, Allowances, and Expenses Overpayments Made to Staff Members/Former Staff Members/Pensioners, remains in effect as published (attached). Although there are currently no plans to undertake an immediate review of the Circular, its application continues to be kept under consideration in line with operational requirements and evolving policy priorities. The Circular sets out the arrangements for the recovery of salary, allowance and expenses overpayments across the Civil Service. Each Civil Service organisation is responsible for implementing and applying the provisions of this Circular.

The National Shared Services Office (NSSO) administers payroll and related functions in accordance with the provisions of the Circular and does not have discretion to depart from its terms. In cases where an overpayment arises because a staff member exceeds their entitlement to paid sick leave, the recovery arrangements are governed by Section 2.7 of the Circular. This provides that where the resulting overpayment is equivalent to 10 days or less, the full amount is recouped over a one-month period, commencing in the next available pay run.

In this case, the NSSO confirmed that the overpayment for this staff member was recovered in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.7 of Circular 07/2018. The application of other provisions of the Circular, including those relating to exceptional circumstances and hardship arrangements, is a matter for the relevant Civil Service organisation having regard to the specific facts of each case.

As Minister, I am unable to comment on the circumstances of this specific case. I appreciate that situations of this nature can be difficult for those involved. Matters relating to employment arrangements fall to the relevant employer to consider.

Circular 07-2018