AHCPS – Season’s Greetings from the Chairperson and General Secretary

3 December 2024

 

Dear Branch Secretary,

 

Below is an update on current issues. Please circulate to all members.

Season’s Greetings from the Chairperson and General Secretary

 

Colleagues and friends,

 

It gives us great pleasure to provide members with an update on the work of the Association throughout the past year.

 

This E-Zine has been relaunched in response to feedback from members seeking more information on our activities. While we regularly share information with members through circulars, social channels, AGMs, and meetings etc., this summary will hopefully provide a more accessible overview of our ongoing efforts on your behalf.

 

Thank you for your ongoing engagement and support and we wish you and your families a safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

 

Warm regards,

Orla McBreen
Chairperson

Ciaran Rohan
General Secretary

Public Service Pay Agreement 2024–2026

 

Earlier this year, AHCPS members overwhelmingly approved the Public Service Pay Agreement 2024-2026 The agreement ensures 9.25% in pay increases between January 2024 and June 2026, along with a 1% Local Bargaining provision starting September 2025. The most recent increase was 1% on 1st October last and the next increase is 2% on 1st March next year.

 

We are planning to hold a Consultative Council with branches early in the New Year to discuss options for the Local Bargaining element of the agreement.

 

🔗 Useful Links:

  • Circular 6.2024 Public Sector Pay Agreement 2024–2026 – AHCPS
  • Conditions of Employment – AHCPS

Member Services

 

Financial Health Check Programme

 

In 2024, we launched a Financial Health Check Programme, enabling members to consult with a Qualified Financial Advisor on all aspects of their personal and family finances. Feedback from members availing of this service was overwhelmingly positive and we will hope to offer it again in the near future.

 

Medical Health Check

 

Once again this year the Association offered members the opportunity to avail of a free general health check service with Medmark Healthcare. This was the third time since 2020 that this service was offered to members and, once again, feedback was very positive.

Member Events in 2024

 

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Event

February 2024 | Portlaoise

This was a vibrant residential event hosted by the Irish Centre for Diversity and Inclusivity and featured a range of speakers on EDI issues of relevance to our members in the Public Sector. Keynote speaker Solat Choudry’s address was so impactful that he was later invited to speak at our ADC.

 

Navigating the Legislative Process

October 2024 | Webinar

This webinar was delivered to AHCPS members by a number of colleagues from the Department of Health who have developed a comprehensive resource on developing legislation. The event proved to be very popular with over 150 in attendance. The webinar recording is available in the members’ area of our website.

 

Branch Officer Training Event

November 2024 | Kilkenny

This event was focussed on supporting new and existing branch officers in carrying out their roles and featured notable speakers from the UK’s FDA and former FDA President Tony Wallace. The slides from the event are now available in the member section of the website.

 

🔗 Access recordings and details: Member Events – AHCPS

Ongoing Increases in Recruitment

 

The recent significant growth in our membership numbers has continued throughout 2024, helped by our continued focus on diverse and high quality member services as well as our launch on LinkedIn and the development of a new recruitment video.

 

  • 400 new members joined in 2023.
  • 530 new members in 2024.

 

🔗 Watch our recruitment video: AHCPS Recruitment Video

Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) 2024

 

Date: 24th May 2024
Location: The Radisson Hotel, Golden Lane

 

Following elections at our annual congress in May 2024 and for the first time in the Association’s history, both the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are women. Orla McBreen was elected Chairperson, and Nina Brennan as Vice-Chairperson (succeeded by Rhona McEleney after Nina’s promotion).

 

Delegates discussed and debated a total of 68 motions, which set the policy direction for the Association over the coming year.

 

🔗 ADC highlights video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF4zS1i-F08

 

Ongoing Work and Challenges

 

Probation Changes

 

Following a High Court case in 2023, taken by the Association on behalf of one of our members and based on the EU Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions, probation periods in the Civil Service will now be capped at 12 months. We are actively negotiating with the DPENDPDR on how this change will be reflected in a new and revised Probation Policy.

 

Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme Reform

 

The Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Civil Service governs the conduct of industrial relations and the processes for the resolution of disputes in the Service. The current scheme dates from 1950 and, in the view of the Civil Service unions, needs to be significantly reformed. In light of this, a sub-committee of General Council has been established and is making significant progress in reforming the current arrangements. It is expected that major reforms such as a new independent chair for the General Council and updated dispute resolution systems will be agreed soon.

 

Right to Disconnect

 

Following representation by the Association and the work of the Civil Service General Council Staff Panel, a new Right to Disconnect Policy for the Civil Service is nearing completion. The purpose of this Policy is to highlight that employees have a right to disconnect from work outside of their normal working hours and to set out the rights and obligations of the Civil Service and employees in this regard. These policy provisions are aligned to the Workplace Relations Commission Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Right to Disconnect.

 

Excellent Member Benefits

 

Membership of the AHCPS offers access to excellent insurance products at highly competitive rates.

 

These benefits can help ensure financial security and peace of mind for members and their families in the face of unexpected life events. Details may vary, so members should refer to the specific insurance scheme documentation for full coverage descriptions and eligibility criteria.

 

Offered to AHCPS (Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants) members typically include:

  1. Life Insurance: Coverage in the event of death or terminal illness, often with options for family protection and financial security for beneficiaries.
  2. Income Protection: This offers financial support if a member is unable to work due to illness or injury, ensuring continuity of income during recovery. This costs 0.57% of gross salary and is liable to tax relief.
  3. Critical Illness Insurance: Provides a lump sum payment if a member is diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer, stroke, or heart attack.
  4. Health Insurance: Access to private health plans that may include hospital and medical treatment coverage, potentially offering faster access to healthcare services.
  5. Personal Accident Insurance: Covers accidental injury or death, offering compensation or support for medical costs resulting from accidents.
  6. Travel Insurance: Includes coverage for travel-related incidents, such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage, for both personal and business travel.

 

These benefits can help ensure financial security and peace of mind for members and their families in the face of unexpected life events. Details may vary, so members should refer to the specific insurance scheme documentation for full coverage descriptions and eligibility criteria.

 

We want to hear from you! Do you have any suggestions for the next E-Zine or member events for 2025? Let us know.

 

Christmas Quiz

🎄 Join the fun!

Answer the 10 quiz questions below and email Ken White (kwhite@ahcps.ie). The first 100 responses will be entered into a raffle for 10 €50 One for All vouchers. Closing date for receipt of answers is 12th December 2024.

 

Question 1       What was the name of The Beatles first album?

Question 2       Who is the current Bishop of Rome?

Question 3       On what floor in AHCPS Head Office is the General Secretary’s office located

 

  1. Ground floor
  2. First floor
  3. Second Floor
  4. Third Floor

 

Question 4       What year was The Eiffel Tower built

Question 5       Name the first female chairperson of the AHCPS

 

  1. Edna Dowling
  2. Brigitta O’Doherty
  3. Orla McBreen

 

 

Question  6      Name the second longest river in Ireland?

Question 7       Where was the location of the AHCPS original office

 

  1. Dawson Street
  2. Dame Lane
  3. St Andrews Lane

 

Question 8       Which football team does the current chair of the AHCPS support

 

  1. Liverpool
  2. Liverpool
  3. Liverpool

 

Question 9       What does the acronym DPENDPDR stand for

Question 10    Which county does Paul Malone Deputy General Secretary hail from

 

  1. Cork
  2. Kerry
  3. Kildare

 

Stay Connected

 

Follow us on social media for the latest updates:

  • X: @ahcps
  • LinkedIn: AHCPS LinkedIn
  • BlueSky: AHCPS BlueSky

This newsletter is also available on our website: www.ahcps.ie.

 

Wishing you a joyful holiday season!

Ciaran Rohan
General Secretary

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