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

Question 316: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of staff within his 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [35835/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There have been no early retirement schemes in operation in my Department in the last three years. Staff however may retire before reaching sixty years of age. This may be on grounds of ill-health or as per Department of Finance Circular 10/2005: Introduction of cost-neutral early retirement.

In the last three years twelve staff in my Department retired before reaching sixty years of age: three in 2006, four in 2007 and five to date in 2008.

The grades of the twelve upon retirement were: one Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal Officer, one Higher Executive Officer, four Radio Officers, one Executive Officer, two Staff Officers and 2 Clerical Officers. With the exception of two, aged 46 and 48, all others were in their fifties. Seven of the twelve retirements were on grounds of ill-health.