Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 538: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of retired civil or public servants that have been rehired by his Department since March 2012; their positions and accompanying salaries. [36747/12]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 539: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of retired civil or public servants that have been retained by his Department since March 2012 on a short term contract or on a consultancy basis where normal abatement rules to not apply. [36763/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 539 together.

Retired civil and public servants are engaged from time to time by my Department in areas where specific expertise is required for a short fixed period, and relevant retired officials 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.

In the period since March 2012, no retired civil or public official has been re-employed by my Department. In the same period, no retired civil or public servant has been retained by my Department on a short term contract or on a consultancy basis.