Taoiseach: Imminent retirements 'will test' Croke Park Agreement
The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said the thousands of staff leaving the public service will test the Croke Park Agreement.
Around 8,000 staff, mainly in health and education, are leaving at the end of this month to take advantage of better pension perks.
But there are fears frontline services, especially in health, will be hit as a result.
The Taoiseach said the Government is determined a crisis won't happen.
Mr Kenny said: "There are 300,000 persons employed in the public sector, 3% of these are leaving, 97% will remain in situ.
"Clearly the flexibility that is inherent in the Croke Park Agreement will now be put to the test. The Government have no intention of allowing a situation where frontline services are not able to be fulfilled."
