Public servants who enter civil partnerships will get
an extra five days off for their honeymoons as a result of plans by the
Department of Finance to extend a ‘marriage leave’ perk to all staff.
In the week that saw the first public civil partnership ceremony take place, the Department of Finance confirmed it was considering the question of marriage leave for gay members of staff who enter into official unions.
If they get married, civil and public servants are entitled to up to five days on top of annual leave in what is a lesser-known perk.
The leave is separate to ‘privilege days’ allocated to all public servants, which is now under scrutiny in the Croke Park agreement and could be withdrawn under the EU/ IMF deal.
In the week that saw the first public civil partnership ceremony take place, the Department of Finance confirmed it was considering the question of marriage leave for gay members of staff who enter into official unions.
If they get married, civil and public servants are entitled to up to five days on top of annual leave in what is a lesser-known perk.
The leave is separate to ‘privilege days’ allocated to all public servants, which is now under scrutiny in the Croke Park agreement and could be withdrawn under the EU/ IMF deal.
‘‘Marriage leave is a stand-alone entitlement."
‘‘We want to ensure that the same entitlement to marriage leave is extended to those entering civil partnerships," said CPSU assistant general secretary Louise Dwyer.
Lower-grade officials qualifying for 20 days annual leave can claim an extra five days holidays for their wedding or honeymoon. The leave reduces by one day for each increase in the staff grade.
It is unavailable to higher grade staff with more than 26 days leave. ‘‘It would be expected that the Department of Finance would provide the same benefits to those who are covered by the Civil Partnership Act as they do in the case of marriage," Said Dwyer.
The Public Service Executive Union (PSEU), which represents middle-grade public servants, has also been in contact with the department on the matter.
The Department of Finance is aware of the matter and is giving it consideration, a spokesman said.
‘‘We want to ensure that the same entitlement to marriage leave is extended to those entering civil partnerships," said CPSU assistant general secretary Louise Dwyer.
Lower-grade officials qualifying for 20 days annual leave can claim an extra five days holidays for their wedding or honeymoon. The leave reduces by one day for each increase in the staff grade.
It is unavailable to higher grade staff with more than 26 days leave. ‘‘It would be expected that the Department of Finance would provide the same benefits to those who are covered by the Civil Partnership Act as they do in the case of marriage," Said Dwyer.
The Public Service Executive Union (PSEU), which represents middle-grade public servants, has also been in contact with the department on the matter.
The Department of Finance is aware of the matter and is giving it consideration, a spokesman said.
While talks continue with
unions over the Croke Park deal about cuts to ‘bank’ days and privilege
days across the public sector, the extension of marriage leave has a
‘‘strong case on grounds of equality," a senior government source said.
A recent arbitration ruling rejected the government’s plans to restrict privilege days, which are awarded in addition to annual leave.
A recent arbitration ruling rejected the government’s plans to restrict privilege days, which are awarded in addition to annual leave.
It ruled
that the two extra ‘privilege days’ would now be added onto total annual
leave entitlements.