Limerick City Council pays out €1.6m in retirement lump sums

JUST over €1.6 million was paid out in retirement lump sums to staff of Limerick City Council during 2012, the local authority’s annual report shows.

This is a gross figure in respect of 24 people who retired during the year.

A total of 37 people ceased employment at Limerick City Council in 2012. These included six people who retired early on ill health grounds and four other early retirements.

One member of staff died in service during the year. This was John Flanagan, a long-serving and hardworking member of the parks department who died in February 2012 in Paris while at the France-Ireland rugby match, The Munster Rugby fanatic is officially remembered by the council in its annual report.

Staffing levels overall at City Hall reduced from 518 on December 31, 2011 to 490 a year later. A recruitment embargo remains in force for all but “essential” staff while the merger of Limerick City and County Councils and Minister Phil Hogan’s wish to avoid duplication is expected to continue to exert downward pressure on the numbers on the payroll.

Over 40 were brought in on work experience or placements during 2012, according to the report.

The council lost just under 5% of working days through certified sick leave and just under 1% to uncertified leave during 2012.