Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 585: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his views regarding the practice of retired health service officials being re-engaged by the health service to carry out consultancy work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9276/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is a specific condition of the 2009 Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement and 2010 Voluntary Early Retirement and Voluntary Redundancy schemes that persons who availed of the schemes are not eligible for re-employment in the public health sector. In the case of the 2010 schemes this restriction was extended to include the wider public service as well as bodies funded wholly or mainly from public funds. In the case of the Voluntary Redundancy scheme the re-employment restrictions applies for seven years, after which the approval of the Minister for Finance is required in any cases where re-employment is proposed. The restrictions also apply to re-employment on a contract for service basis in respect of all schemes.

It is sometimes necessary for the HSE to re-engage retired staff on a short-term basis for a variety of reasons, primarily to ensure the provision of locum cover in front-line services. Former staff members may also be engaged on time-limited basis to sit on interview boards for staff appointments. Abatement provisions are applied to any situation where a pensioner is re-engaged, to ensure that the combination of his/her pension and salary does not exceed the remuneration payable to a serving staff member at the same level. I consider that, other than in the circumstances I have outlined, the re-engagement of retired management or administrative staff members on a consultancy basis is not appropriate and should be contemplated only in the most exceptional circumstances.