Departmental Staff.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2008

Tuesday, 21 October 2008

Questions (221, 222)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

310 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the amount that was granted in pensions in each of the past five years to individuals who retired early from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35647/08]

In the years 2004 to date, the amount granted in pensions for each year to individuals who retired from my Department before reaching sixty years of age, be it on grounds of ill-health or as per Circular 10/2005: Introduction of cost-neutral early retirement, was as follows:

2004 — None in 2004;

2005 — €23,754;

2006 — €66,705;

2007 — €69,993;

2008 — €76,606.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

311 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the amount that was spent in each of the past five years on staff who replaced those who took early retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35662/08]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

From 2004 to date, thirteen staff in my Department retired before reaching sixty years of age on grounds of ill-health or as per Department of Finance Circular 10/2005: Introduction of cost-neutral early retirement. There were no such retirements in 2004.

The grades of the thirteen upon retirement were: one Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal Officer, two Higher Executive Officers, four Radio Officers, one Executive Officer, two Staff Officers and two Clerical Officers.

The mid-point salary, both modified and PPC (Personal Pension Contribution) scale, for each grade at end of year in which a member of that grade retired is outlined below.

Grade	2005	2006	2007	2008
	€	€	€	€
Principal Officer	N/A	90,617 95,385	N/A	N/A
Assistant Principal Officer	N/A	N/A	72,420 76,231	N/A
Higher Executive Officer	46,139 48,570	N/A	49,685 52,304	N/A
Radio Officer*	N/A	N/A	40,026 42,132	42,053 44,265
Executive Officer	N/A	N/A	39,112 39,530	N/A
Staff Officer	N/A	38,787 39,607	N/A	41,566 43,755
Clerical Officer	N/A	28,693 30,201	N/A	30,749 32,365

*Also receives a shift allowance of 27%.