Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons that have applied for the position of Secretary General at his Department following recent advertisements; if a person has been appointed; when the appointment will be made; the location at which the secretary general will be located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1891/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Fifteen persons applied for the post of Secretary General, D/Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs. An appointment was made today Tuesday 19th January 2010. On foot of Government decisions on the Decentralisation Programme, the headquarters of the Department will move to Charlestown, Co Mayo and the person appointed Secretary General will serve at that location.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Finance the policy regarding the term of office of Secretaries General; the policy regarding the renewal of such terms; if such renewals are consistent with the terms of the strategic management initiative and other policy documents in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1933/10]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of Secretaries General whose term of office as head of a Department or office has expired and whose term of office as head of a Department or Office has been renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1934/10]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of Secretaries General whose term of office as head of a Government Department or office has expired and who have stepped down as head of that Department or office but remain as civil servants; if, in each instance, the salary of such persons is equivalent to or lower than a Secretary General who is currently the head of a Government Department or office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1935/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 to 219, inclusive, together. Secretaries-General are appointed for not more than 7 years and are obliged to retire at 60 years of age. If, on appointment as Secretary, a person is between 56 and 60 years of age, the Government may, at its discretion, (a) waive that person's obligation to retire at 60 and (b) permit the person to serve as Secretary for a period not exceeding 4 years in any case.

In the case of a Secretary-General appointed for not more than seven years, who has served a term of office before reaching 60, the Government should then formally decide on one of the following courses: to appoint him or her to an appropriate position (carrying the same remuneration) elsewhere in the civil service; to arrange for such an appointment (in agreement with the officer) in another area of the public service or in an international institution; to allow him or her to opt for early retirement on a voluntary basis with immediate pension and lump sum and a special severance gratuity of one half of annual salary on the term specified in Sections 6 and 7 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act 1963.

Secretaries General appointed for a seven year period may, during their fifth year of office, be invited to indicate their interest in a further appointment, either in their existing or another Department, for a total of ten years at the discretion of the Government.

Two serving Secretaries General have had their original terms extended and two Heads of Offices who are at Secretary General level have also had their terms extended.

Currently no Secretary General who has stepped down as head of a Department or Office remains as a civil servant.