Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1683. To ask the Minister for Health the rate of pay and grade a person (details supplied); the duration of their contract; the impact of same on their previous employment in the public service in the context of pension and related end of career entitlements; if an open or internal competition was held for the role; if a recruitment competition for the role has ensued since; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34920/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Where unique skills and experience are required urgently, such as the emergency arising from the impact of Covid-19, it is sometimes necessary to rehire retired civil or public servants. Retired persons engaged by the civil and public service are subject to abatement of their public sector pension unless a waiver of this abatement is approved under the relevant legislation. Any such abatement requires the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The person concerned has extensive relevant skills and experience in an Irish and international context which was not otherwise available to the Department in the context of the critical and urgent needs arising from the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The specific, relevant expertise and experience of the individual concerned are considered invaluable both in Ireland and abroad, and there was and continues to be significant demand internationally for expertise of this nature. The person concerned is employed on a specified purpose contract linked to the response to Covid-19 in order to advise and assist the work of the Department and the National Public Health Emergency Team. The individual is employed in a civil service grade analogous with their previous public sector employment.

In 2020, in the context of the unique and rapidly evolving Covid 19 pandemic this Department required the skills and specialist experience of the individual concerned immediately. Given the significant contribution which the individual continues to make to the work of the Department, their ongoing retention in the role continues to be required.