HR Hot Topics
Page updated 5 May 2022
New pages added to HR website
New pages have now been added to the HR website A-Z covering popular topics outlined below:
Christmas Payroll Deadlines
Do you have employees due to start in December or January? Will you be submitting claims online or on hard copy for payment in the Christmas or January payroll? If so then please ensure that you have read the Christmas Payroll Deadlines 2021-2022
Academic Session 2021/2022 - UCD Hourly Payment Process – Important Links
- For set-up/payment in the October 2021 payroll: hourly set-up forms with HR by 15th September
- Continuing Occasional Lecturers to be sent by email to (opens in a new window)hrhelpdesk@ucd.ie by 1st September
- Changes to Hourly/Casual pay rates from 1st September, 2021.
Online Pension Self Service for members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme
The Pensions Office have recently launched an Online Pension Self Service for UCD members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. This facility allows members to view their real time pension and lump sum benefits information and their total pension contributions paid into the Scheme to date. The Online Pension Benefit Calculator tool will allow members to view their accrued benefit and contribution amounts by calendar year. The provision of this information to members online will replace the issuing of Annual Benefit Statements to members by email in the future.
Members can access their online pensions record through the UCD Employee Self Service System (ESS). For detailed information and support for logging into ESS please see the ESS home page.
A variety of online member resources are also available on the Single Public Service Pension Scheme website, provided by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), including the (opens in a new window)Single Scheme Member Information Booklet which contains an overview of the Single Scheme for Standard Accrual members.
A pension modeller for members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is also available on the Single Scheme website at (opens in a new window)www.singlepensionscheme.gov.ie. The Single Scheme Estimator Tool is a spreadsheet based calculator designed to give active Single Scheme members a broad indication of the level of retirement benefits that they may be eligible to receive on reaching their normal retirement age.
For members who are interested in enhancing their retirement benefits under the Single Scheme, the option to purchase additional pension and/or lump sum referable amounts is available through the Single Public Sector Pension Scheme Purchase Facility. Members may also transfer benefits arising from pension entitlements in certain other Revenue approved retirement schemes and PRSAs to the Single Scheme. Further information and access to the Member Purchase Cost Calculation Tool can be found on the UCD Pensions website under the Single Scheme Purchase Facility section.
For members who may have previously availed of a refund of pension contributions under the Single Scheme and have since rejoined the Scheme within 24 months of their earlier leave date, these members may be eligible to apply to pay back these contributions previously refunded, with interest. By repaying earlier refunded contributions the Single Scheme pension and lump sum benefits relating to the refunded period will be restored. Further information on eligibility to repay a prior Single Scheme refund and the cost to do so can be requested by email to (opens in a new window)pensions@ucd.ie.
If you have any questions about the above information, please email (opens in a new window)pensions@ucd.ie by replying to this email and including your personnel number in the subject line for further assistance.
The UMT has agreed that similar to 2020, as it may not be feasible for all employees to avail of their full annual leave entitlement, they have authorised a maximum carry over of 10 days (pro rata for part-time employees) annual leave to be used by 31 August 2022. Read more in our COVID 19 FAQ section.
Award of Tenure 2021 - Applications now welcome
See the Tenure webpage for details.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Survey 2021
UCD EDI is committed to supporting an inclusive culture and respectful environment where individuals are able to thrive, irrespective of their background. In order to support our equality, diversity, and inclusion planning processes in line with the UCD EDI strategy, meet statutory responsibilities and assess the impact of initiatives to date, we are conducting a survey to obtain your views and insights with all UCD employees. We would therefore welcome and encourage your participation in this survey.
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
These questions have been developed following the issuing of a COVID-19 FAQ document by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) on 16th March 2020. In addition, FAQs also cover queries that have been received via the HR Helpdesk/HR Partners/Employee Relations. Please check these FAQs frequently as they will be added to as required.
With effect from the 24th February 2021, all support (administrative), technical and research competitions will adopt the interview scheduler functionality. This self-service functionality allows candidates to self-select their interview time slots and you can find out more on the Interview Scheduler page.
Central Pool Acadmic Appointments
University College Dublin is undertaking a major expansion of academic positions to grow our capacity in areas of strategic importance leading to the creation of the Central Pool Academic Appointments programme. There are three modes of appointment which are the Ad Astra Fellows, the Reactive mode and the Strategic mode.
Please see the document for more information.
New Online UCD Organisational Chart Tool
A new interactive organisational chart tool is now available via the Employee Self Service (ESS) portal. Search for ‘Org Chart’ in the search bar to access. See this web page for more information and FAQs.
Parental leave entitlement available increases from 22 weeks to 26 weeks from 1 September 2020.
New Process for engaging Tutors/Demonstrators May 2020
If you are involved in the appointment of tutors or demonstrators it is important that you read the following changes for the academic year 2020/2021.
General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR)
Following the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which came into effect on 25 May 2018, UCD HR’s Privacy Statements and Data Retention policy can be found in the HR A-Z.
UCD received sanction on the 21st December from the Department of Education and Skills to proceed with implementation of both Phase II of pay restoration and the LRA increase of 1% effective 1st January 2018. Click (opens in a new window)here for relevant documentation e.g. circular.
As directed by the Department of Education & Skills new updated Rules contained in S.I. 582 of 2014 will be the “de facto” superannuation scheme applying in all relevant non-commercial state bodies for the Model Pension Scheme. Further information is available through the link above.