Information about relocation packages for HSE staff

Date released: 17/6/2005

Information released: the following information was released in response to a request for information on relocation packages available to HSE staff. The information is presented as answers to a series of questions posed by the requester in tabular format.

Public sector relocations: Relocation package comparisons

Relocation Package and Staff Relocation Bonuses	Offered to staff Relocating YES/NO	Detail/Terms of entitlement
Enhanced Pay (if yes, how much and for whom?)	No
Terminal Bonuses (if yes, how much and for whom?	No
Bonus for New Entrants Taking up First Appointment (how much?)	No salary bonus offered however new recruits are offered a limited relocation package	New Recruits offered a maximum of 5,000 to relocate. Only payable if a household removal is required which is determined by the distance between new recruits home and new office. In addition to the items detailed below staff can spend up to 30% of the allowance on temp accommodation costs and fares home pending relocation.
Advance of Salary	Yes. Only available to established staff, not new recruits.	Up to half salary can be requested if staff have used all of their net proceeds to purchase a new property and there remains a shortfall between the purchase price and the maximum mortgage they can obtain. This is repayable over 10 years however staff can defer repayment for two years prior to this.
Reconnaissance Visits	No, unless move is part of a bulk transfer when reconnaissance visits are offered to all.	In addition to staffs individual entitlement to a preliminary visit for themselves and their family, staff may undertake one or more reconnaissance visits with their families and HSE will reimburse their subsistence costs at full rate for the relocatee, 2/3rd rate for the relocatees partner and any children over 12 and 1/2 for children under 12. The number of visits is determined on a case by case basis.
Information Room	No
Job Search for Partners	No
House Search for property to buy or rent	No
Education Search	No
Transfer Grant	Yes. Only available to established staff, not new recruits.	Payable to cover miscellaneous costs ie post redirection, washing machine installation etc. 2955.00 Payable to Householders / 925 Payable to Non Householder.
Miscellaneous School Fees for dependents	Yes. Only available to established staff, not new recruits.	Additional school fees can be paid if staff have to pay dual private school fees at both the old and new stations. Lodgings costs up to 18.60 pw can also be paid if children have to live in temp lodgings away from the family at either the old or new station in order to end or start their education.
Solicitors Fees	Yes. Payable to new recruits and established staff.	Actual solicitors fees paid.
Survey Fees	Yes. Payable to new recruits and established staff.	Actual survey fees paid.
Removal Costs	Yes. Payable to new recruits and established staff.	Actual removal fees paid for new recruits. Established staff must either use a panel remover provided by the relocation company or submit 3 removal quotes and HSE will reimburse the lowest quote.
Preliminary Visit/Removal Expenses	Yes. Only available to established staff, not new recruits.	Up to 7 nights / 6 days can be claimed to cover both pre-visits and removals. Subsistence & Travel costs during this period are paid to both the relocatee and their family. Subsistence paid as for recon visit.
Vehicles/Travel Expenses for the move	Yes. Payable to new recruits and established staff.	Established staff may claim to transport 2 vehicles to the new station. New recruits may claim for 1 vehicle. If staff do not have a car they may claim standard class rail fares for themselves and their family.
Continuing Commitments Allowance	Yes. Only available to established staff, not new recruits.	Payable to staff who do not use the relocation scheme who continue to have financial responsibility for their home at the old station even though they have moved to the new station.
Overlapping Rent Expenses/Additional Housing Cost Allowance	Yes. Only available to established staff, not new recruits.	Temporary Additional Housing Costs Allowance are paid to staff living in temporary accommodation at the new station if their outgoing in that temp accommodation are greater than their outgoings at their home at the old station. Additional Housings Costs Allowance is paid to staff who move to an area where the house prices for a property equivalent to that at the old station is greater. Grids are used to establish amount due and this is payable for a period of 9 years - 5 years in full then decreasing by 20% each year for the remaining 4 years.
Excess Fares	Yes. Only available to established staff, not new recruits.	Payable for 3 years to staff who move to a new office but do not qualify for a household removal. Payable for 5 years to staff who move to a new office, do qualify for a household removal but elect to travel daily.
Property Sales	Yes. Only available to established staff, not new recruits.	Staff may use the relocation scheme to sell their property at the old station. Staff who choose not to use this service may claim Estate Agents fees.
Mortgage redemption	Yes. Payable to new recruits and established staff.	Payable without restriction.
Mortgage Arrangement Fee	Yes. Payable to new recruits and established staff.	Payable without restriction.
Second Home Package	Yes. Only available to established staff, not new recruits.	This package is available to staff with a partner/family at the old station who cannot move their family with them to the new station.