By "State pension", I understand the Deputy to refer to an occupational pension as a result of previous service in the civil or public service. I further understand the Deputy to refer to the full or part time employment of retired public servants as part of the staffing of the Department. As I indicated in a reply to Parliamentary Question No. 149 on 5 May, 2010, records of past employments of new recruits are not captured in such a way as to provide a dedicated basis for compiling the information requested by the deputy. Accordingly, the specific information requested is not available. In relation to Offices under the aegis of my Department, I am advised that this is also the position.
Retired public servants are, however, engaged by the Department from time to time for specific tasks or projects. Such engagements are normally remunerated on a fee basis (provision exists for fees to be abated, where appropriate, by reference to pension payments) but in some cases, indeed, retired public servants have provided their services without any additional remuneration.