Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of the over 9,000 persons from the public service who have retired over the past six months with high tax-free lump sum payments in many cases and substantial pensions that have been re-hired on contract; if these perso's are now being paid on the double by the State, that is. their pension and the salary they are receiving under the new contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33085/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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One member of staff in my Department, the Chief Medical Advisor, has been rehired on a temporary contract. His salary is reduced to take account of the rate of his pension payment.

In addition, the acting Deputy Chief Medial Advisor has been retained, on a temporary basis, beyond his normal retirement age. Payment of his pension will be suspended pending the termination of his temporary retention.

The decision to re-employ the Chief Medical Advisor and to retain the acting Deputy Chief Medical Advisor was taken due to their specific skills and experience, the difficulty and long lead-in time for replacing such skills, and the critical importance of ensuring continuity and a high level of service to customers of the Department.