Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Defence if a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be allowed to retire on grounds of ill health in line with medical advice. [28983/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned, a civilian employee of this Department, has applied to retire on grounds of ill health. In line with normal practice, the Department, in assessing the application, has sought the advice of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for the Civil Service. The CMO has advised that the application should not be accepted and that alternative working arrangements might be appropriate in this case. A second medical practitioner appointed to deal with an appeal from the employee in question has upheld the advice of the CMO.

The Department, on foot of the recommendation of the CMO, recently wrote to the employee to inform the person of the advice received in relation to the case and to enquire whether arrangements could be put in place to assist with a return to duty in the near future. The Department is awaiting a reply to that letter. Following receipt of a reply, the Department will, with the assistance of any further advice that may be required, be in a position to assess the employee's case further.