Dublin: TIME TO GO: Pension Cuts Set To Drive 300 Senior Gardai Into Early Retirment

AN Garda Siochana could lose 300 of its most senior officers next year, the Sunday Independent has learned.

Garda headquarters is bracing itself for an exodus among its highest ranking members ahead of Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin's plans to slash public sector pension payments.

The Sunday Independent understands there is growing concern among Garda management that hundreds of experienced officers will retire en masse to avoid losing out on thousands of euros in pension payments.

Sources claim senior officers could be down as much as €7,000 a year if they do not quit the force before next summer. A grace period on public sector salary cuts, which also affect pensions, will end in June 2015.

"They could all down tools and put in their papers next summer," a source said. "The last thing the gardai need is a mass exodus. If all those people left next year it would have serious implications."

The Sunday Independent understands all 12 of 
the force's assistant commissioners are eligible for retirement with full entitlements, as are 37 chief superintendents and 104 superintendents. In the inspector ranks, 145 officers are also able to leave next summer and avail of more lucrative pension payments.

A further 448 garda sergeants and 660 rank-and-file gardai are eligible for retirement next year, but because they earn less than €65,000 a year they did not receive salary cuts under the Haddington Road Agreement.

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