I propose to take Questions Nos. 401, 402 and 406 together.
A total of 5 staff in my Department availed of early retirement in the past three years as set out below.
2006
Grade
|
Age
|
Reason for granting early retirement
|
Assistant Secretary
|
58
|
Reply to PQ No 186 of 9 November 2006 refers
|
Principal Officer
|
58
|
Actuarial Reduced Retirement
|
Clerical Officer
|
52
|
Ill Health
|
Clerical Officer
|
57
|
Actuarial Reduced Retirement
|
2007: Nil
2008
Grade
|
Age
|
Reason for granting early retirement
|
Higher Executive Officer
|
54
|
Actuarial Reduced Retirement
|
I understand that the total amount of pensions paid by the Paymaster General's Office in the last five years in respect of individuals who retired early from my Department is as follows:
Year
|
Amount
|
|
€
|
2004
|
Nil
|
2005
|
27,683
|
2006
|
66,096
|
2007
|
128,626
|
2008 to date
|
45,200
|
The table below sets out the total salary cost to my Department in each of the past five years in respect of staff who replaced those who took early retirement.
Year
|
Salary Cost
|
|
€
|
2004
|
Nil
|
2005
|
29,805
|
2006
|
95,037
|
2007
|
266,890
|
2008 to date
|
84,714
|
The foregoing is based on additional costs incurred if retirees were to have remained in service until aged 60.