James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the exact number of public servants who are back in employment in the public service, who are on pensions and have accepted lump sums; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49089/12]

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 following retirement. Payment of his pension is abated pending the termination of his temporary contract.

In addition, the acting Deputy Chief Medial Advisor has been retained, on a temporary basis, beyond his normal retirement age. Payment of his pension is 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.

Following an open competition, the Pensions Board, which is under the aegis of my Department, employed, on temporary contracts, two people who were previously employed by An Garda Síochana and who are in receipt of Garda pensions. Abatement of pension does not apply in respect of retired members of An Garda Síochana who subsequently take up public sector employment.