Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the names, grade and cost of staff who have been rehired following retirement in his Department and State agencies under his remit [22888/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Retired staff are engaged from time to time by my Department in areas where specific expertise is required for a short fixed period, and relevant former staff provide a level of knowledge, experience and background compatible with such requirements.

The abatement principle, which ensures that the fee paid plus pension does not exceed the rate of pay the pensioner would receive if he/she had continued service in their former post, applies to all such payments made. The tasks carried out include time bound tasks or projects such as membership of expert groups, occasional service on interview boards, value for money reviews and process audits.

No former staff, who have retired from my Department, have been rehired by it since my appointment in March 2011. The Department is not aware of any re-employment of staff, who retired before the end of the grace period this year, in respect of State agencies under its aegis.