Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 96: To ask the Minister for Finance the job description being used for the recruitment of ministerial drivers; if these positions will be advertised publicly; if applicants will have to be registered with FÁS; the efforts being made to make these posts available to the general public, including those currently on the live register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10426/11]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 97: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps that are being taken to ensure that ministerial driver positions will not be filled by persons already in receipt of a State or occupational pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10427/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together.

The Government decided that Ministers and Ministers of State, the Attorney General and the Ceann Comhairle can appoint two civilian drivers on a contract of employment that is co-terminus with their period of appointment as Office Holder. Alternatively, Office Holders have the option to appoint civilian drivers to a twelve month contract if they prefer.

The right of selection rests with an Office Holder and such appointments are personal appointments, under excluding order, as unestablished civil servants. When a Minister of the Government or Minister of State ceases to hold that office for any reason (including a Minister of State becoming a Minister of the Government or vice versa) the contract of his or her personal appointees terminate on that date. Given the nature of the working relationship between Minister and civilian driver this system of selection and appointment will remain in place for the current round of appointments.

In the case of the recent HSE Voluntary Early Retirement scheme, persons availing of the scheme are not eligible for re-employment in the public health sector or in the wider public service or in a body wholly or mainly funded from public moneys. The same prohibition on re-employment applies under the HSE Voluntary Redundancy Scheme also, except that the prohibition will be for a period of 7 years, after which time any re-employment will require the approval of the Minister for Finance.