Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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105. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications for re-instatement, following retirement on grounds of ill-health, with prior notice granted since 2004; the legislation, rules and procedures under which they were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44551/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department had 2 applications for re-instatement, following retirement on grounds of ill-health, with prior notification, granted since 2004. The retirements were under Circular 7/57, titled “Retirement from the Civil Service on the ground of ill-health” and on the grounds of the Department having sought the advice of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

The applications for re-instatement were referred to the CMO and a copy of the CMO report was sent to the Department of Finance with a request for sanction to reinstate the officers. The lump sum received at retirement was subject to repayment and arrangements were made to cease payment of pension from the day before the date of re-instatement.

Circular 22/07 which is the current circular covering ill-health retirement does not provide civil servants with an automatic right to return to work. Any request for a return to work is a matter for the Department’s discretion taking into account the advice of the CMO and taking into account the current staff recruitment policy and budgetary restrictions.