Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 75: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to the recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Special Report No. 74, the reason four FETAC staff were given retirement packages which amounted to €800,000; if she will specify the grade and position these individuals each held; the length of service in FETAC and the wider public service; the person who authorised these payments; the measures being taken to recoup these unauthorised payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46924/10]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 76: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the sums paid as part of early retirement packages or redundancy payments to staff within HETAC, FETAC and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland since the decision to merge these three bodies was taken; the number of staff let go during this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46925/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together.

FETAC have informed my Department that the decision to offer early retirement to staff in late 2008 was influenced by a number of factors. The reduction of numbers at certain grades was in line with the recommendations of an organisational review of FETAC undertaken by Farrell Grant Sparks. This review was in turn arranged in response to a recommendation in the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland external review of FETAC that identified structural imbalance in the organisation. FETAC also cited the expectation that efficiencies would arise from the forthcoming amalgamation of HETAC, FETAC and NQAI and that salary savings would be achieved over time arising from the early retirements.

I understand that three of the four former members of staff held the position of Development Officer, a senior technical grade in FETAC. The fourth member of staff held a Grade VI post, an administrative middle management position. A table showing the length of service and lump sum paid to each of the members of staff is set out below.

The Senior Management Team of FETAC, led by the Chief Executive Officer, authorised the early retirements. The approval of the Minister for Education and Skills and the consent of the Minister for Finance, required by FETAC's governing legislation, was not sought. Legal advice in respect of the recovery or reassessment of unauthorised benefits has been obtained and is being considered.

Apart from the FETAC early retirement scheme, no other staff have left FETAC, HETAC or the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland since the amalgamation announcement, other than through resignation, non-renewal of temporary contracts due to the moratorium on public sector recruitment, the expiry of a period of secondment from another organisation or normal retirement pursuant to the terms of the relevant pension scheme.