Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Mary Upton

Question:

397 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which a person (details supplied) retired from their Departmental post; the terms under which this person retired; if this person received any enhanced pension payments; if allegations of misconduct or impropriety regarding this person had come to the attention of his Department; if allegations of misconduct or impropriety had been made against this person before they retired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13847/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The person referred to by the Deputy retired on 22 January 1996 on age grounds, having reached the age of 65 years. The person concerned received only the normal pension entitlements appropriate to his age and service. My Department was not aware of any allegations of misconduct on the part of this person before retirement and neither has my Department received any such allegations since the person retired. The only information my Department has arises from media reports last April and allegations made in this House by Deputy Phil Hogan. In neither case was the person publicly named but my Department has reason to believe that it is the same person as the one to whom Deputy Upton refers. My Department referred the allegations to the Garda which is now investigating them.