Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 277: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount that was granted in pensions in each of the past five years to individuals who retired early from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35643/08]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 278: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount that was spent in each of the past five years on staff who replaced those who took early retirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35658/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 292: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff within her Department who have availed of early retirement schemes in each of the past three years; the breakdown of such by the grade and age of the staff who availed of the schemes; the breakdown of the reason for granting early retirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35831/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 277, 278 and 292 together.

In the period referred to by the Deputies a voluntary early retirement scheme has not been available to staff in the Civil Service. However, there are other arrangements which make provision for retirement earlier than normal pension age in certain circumstances.

Arrangements for cost-neutral early retirement were introduced in 2005 under Department of Finance Circular 10/2005 and are available in the Civil and Public Service generally. In broad terms this facility, which was recommended by the Commission on Public Service Pensions, allows staff who are within ten years of their normal pension age to apply for early retirement with immediate payment of their superannuation benefits. The benefits are actuarially reduced to ensure that the early payment is cost-neutral to the Exchequer.

In addition retirement before normal pension age with immediate payment of superannuation benefits may be permitted on medical grounds. For the Deputies information I am including the following table which details the number of staff who retired from the Department in the last five years.