7,000 public workers apply to retire

MORE than 7,000 public sector workers have applied for the early retirement incentive scheme ahead of next month’s deadline.

The latest figures from key departments show the Government is well on target to reduce overall numbers by 9,000, in a bid to slash the bill for the 300,000-strong public sector.

The scheme allows staff to retire on a pre-cuts pension level and their retirement lump sum is subject to lower rates of tax than it would be after March 1.