Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Defence if there is an early retirement scheme for civilian employees within his Department. [39330/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In common with other groups of public servants, there are certain circumstances whereby a civilian employee of my Department can retire in advance of the standard retirement age of 65. Firstly, an employee with an ongoing serious medical condition who has at least five years' pensionable service may apply to retire on grounds of ill-health. An application of this nature is subject to the approval of the Chief Medical Officer, Department of Finance.

In addition, employees aged at least 55 years may opt to avail of a cost neutral early retirement facility. Under this facility, the pension and retirement lump sum received by the employee are actuarially reduced in accordance with actuarial tables issued by the Department of Finance.

Finally, in certain limited circumstances, my Department, with the approval of the Department of Finance, from time to time offers a voluntary early retirement package to certain employees. In general, this would arise when a decision is taken to close military sites or there is no longer a need for the Department to employ a person to provide a particular service.