University of Limerick Human Resources Division

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  • Employee Support Service

    The University of Limerick now has an Employee Support Service (ESS) in place.

    The ESS is a confidential counselling and advice service to assist all of us in dealing with personal issues that could pose a threat to our health, well-being, relationships or employment.

    • The service is free – the University of Limerick bears the cost of this service.
    • The service is voluntary – the decision to use the service and avail of counselling rests with the individual.
    • The service is confidential and independent – and provided by an external company called EAP Consultants.

    How does the Support Service operate?

    Inspire Wellbeing, an external provider, engage a range of professional and experienced counsellors and practitioners for this service. All counsellors/ practitioners meet the training and experience requirements of professional bodies such as the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (IACP).

    To access this, you call the freephone helpline number , which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Users may prefer to access this number from a private telephone as UL telephone bills are itemised. From here, you will be referred to the appropriate counsellor. You will be able to avail of up to six counselling sessions in a twelve-month period.

    Who can use the ESS?

    This service is provided for all University of Limerick employees and their family members. A family member is defined as a partner or adult child (18+ years) residing at the same address as the employee.

    We all go through stages where life seems tough and you may be finding it hard to cope with day-to-day issues. This service can also be used to help with a variety of difficulties such as bereavement, stress, relationship problems, issues with alcohol, drugs, or gambling, etc.

    Will my employer know I am using the ESS?

    No.  The University will not be told who is using the service and receive only anonymous figures for evaluation of the service.

    When is the ESS available?

    Access to the helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The first counselling session will be provided within 2-5 days. The counselling will usually take place in the counsellor’s office at a mutually suitable time. Freephone:1-800-201-346

    University staff can also log in to the University of Limerick's unique and dedicated extranet service https://www.inspirewellbeing.org/workplaces/login

    Username: UniversityLimerick

    Password: ulp@ss

    Click here for Additional Information

    Click here for Guidelines for use of this Service

  • Employee Health & Wellness Programme

    The Employee Health & Wellness Programme has been re-branded to

    BeWell@UL !

    Please see the new dedicated page Here: http://www.ul.ie/hr/be-well-ul

  • Safety Representatives

    Click Link to view Minutes from the latest Safety Representative Committee Meeting.

    UL Safety Representatives 2018:

    Name Function/Building
    Mats Melin/Alan Dormer IWAMD
    Lynda O'Sullivan Administrative Support
    Tony Considine Engineering Services Manager
    Louise O'Shea Glucksman Library
    Tommy Foy (HR Director) Chair
    Tony Irwin CSIS Building
    Dr Peter Davern Main Building
    Jacqueline Kennedy Schrodinger Building
    Margaret Toomey GEMS
    Elaine Storan School of Allied Health
    Vacant Kemmy Business School
    Mikael Fernstrom Engineering Research Building
    Muireann Brassil University Arena
    Stephen Clothier PESS Building
    Gordon Armstrong Bernal Institute
    Philip Thornton Safety Officer
  • What are my pension entitlements?

    (i) The main benefits are a retirement pension and a lump sum payment.

    (ii) Death Gratuity

    (iii) Spouse & Children’s Pensions

     The HR Pensions team can you provide you with calculations for all of the above.

  • I joined the University of Limerick from another Public Sector Organisation. Can I bring my previous pension entitlements to UL with me?

    Yes. You can transfer your pensionable service from previous Public Sector employments to the University to increase your overall pension benefits. Contact the HR Pensions team with details of your previous employer and your dates of service. HR will liaise directly with your previous employer to ascertain if there is pensionable service to transfer in to UL. Previous non-pensionable service may also be available to transfer providing the outstanding contributions for pension are paid.

  • What are Professional Added Years?

    The Professional Added Years (PAY) Award Scheme may be availed of by staff who, because of the minimum qualifications and experience requirements pertaining to the post to which they were recruited, are not in a position to attain 40 years' service by age 65. All applications go before the Pensions Committee, who determine any potential award. PAY awards only mature upon retirement age of 60 or 65, depending on the pension scheme you are a member of.

  • What benefits apply if I voluntarily depart from the University before retirement age (other than on grounds of ill-health retirement)?

    The following options are available:

    (i) Public Sector Transfer – Accrued pensionable service can be transferred to an approved organisation.

    (ii) Preserved Benefits – Any employee with more than 2 years reckonable service may apply at retirement age for their preserved pension benefits

    (iii) Cost neutral Early Retirement (CNER) – if the member has more than 2 years pensionable service and wishes to retire from age 50 (or age 55 for “new entrants”) with immediate pension benefits, actuarially reduced pension benefits can be made payable. They are reduced depending on age.

    (iv) Pension Refund – Any employee with less than 2 years service is entitled to a refund of their pension contributions less appropriate deductions for income tax.

  • I am a single person, can I opt out of the Spouse & Children’s Scheme?

    No. Membership of the Spouse & Children’s scheme is compulsory for all Public Sector employees, regardless of marital status. The scheme also covers children born outside of marriage.

    If upon retirement you are still single and without children, a refund of the Spouse & Children contributions can be refunded, less the appropriate deductions for tax.

  • My pension is co-ordinated with the State Pension (PRSI Class A). I am retiring at age 60 but the State Pension is not paid until age 66.

    A supplementary pension can be paid by the University if you do not qualify immediately for any Social Welfare benefits. This will need to be confirmed by the Social Welfare Services. This will cease or reduce as appropriate when any State Pension or other benefits come into payment.