Consultation document - Abatement ExtensionsThe Coronavirus Act 2020 temporarily suspended certain regulations in relation to abatement in order to support those in receipt of an HSC pension who returned to work to help with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This Act expired on 24 March 2022 but, given the ongoing stresses on the health service, these suspensions were extended until 31 October 2022. Given the likelihood of continuing stresses over the winter period, it is now proposed to continue the extension until 31 March 2023.
In summary, the draft Regulations amend the above the Regulations to extend the current temporary suspension of certain abatement regulations until 31 March 2023 for both HSC Pension Schemes, the reformed 2015 scheme and the older, closed scheme which is divided into the 1995 and 2008 sections.
The Department of Health will be launching the Consultation on Thursday 1st September and attached is a copy of the Consultation Document And Explanatory Notes and the Amended Regulations.
The Department welcomes any comments or views on the proposals set out in this document and the draft regulations.
Comments on the proposals and draft regulations can be submitted using the consultation response form attached to the consultation explanatory document via e-mail to: modernisation@health-ni.gov.uk