Vol. 492 No. 2
137 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that the withholding of the names of the 25 retired public servants recruited for the processing of applications for asylum conforms to the expectations and requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. [13823/98]
As I outlined to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 255 of 3 June, 1998, it is policy not to give the names of officials working in a particular area of the Department.
The contractors in question were recruited from retired public servants following an advertised competition. They are employed in my Department to carry out identical functions as full time civil servants at executive officer grade in processing applications for refugee status. The terms of their recruitment were authorised by the Minister for Finance on 27 February, 1998 in conjunction with the approval of 72 additional staff posts to deal with the processing of applications for refugee status.
The contractors themselves were selected from an interview process arranged in consultation with the Department of Finance and the Civil Service Commission. As I regard these contractors essentially as civil servants of my Department for the duration of their contracts, I am withholding their names for the same reasons as I am withholding the names of the civil servants also involved in this work.
I am satisfied that my withholding of these names is not contrary to the expectations and requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997.
138 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the fee per day paid to retired public servants recruited for the processing of applications for asylum. [13824/98]
The fee per day paid to retired public servants recruited for the processing of applications for asylum is £65, less withholding tax.
