Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 553: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of retired public servants who have been re-hired in his Department during the period of April 2011 to April 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25234/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Between April 2011 and April 2012 my Department re-engaged a retired Assistant Secretary and four retired veterinary staff on a contract for services basis for a limited period.

In the same period, seven retired veterinary staff were approved by my Department to be engaged as Temporary Veterinary Inspectors on a contract for services basis and are available to be rostered for meat inspection duties, as and when required. Up until last December 2011 when my Department stopped accepting applications, it was open to any veterinary practitioner registered with the Veterinary Council to apply for approval to be engaged as a part-time Temporary Veterinary Inspector.

Normal pension abatement rules are applied in all these cases.