Agency may not have funds for retirees

An emergency move to cut HSE pension lump sum provision is “risky” and could lead to insufficient money being available to retirees, according to an admission in the HSE Service Plan.

Fianna Fáil branded the confession further proof of “creative accounting” within the health service, as it faced budget cuts of €1bn.

The service plan report states: “If the number of staff retiring is greater than the number of pensions provided for, there will be insufficient funding available.”