I propose to take Questions Nos. 646, 657 and 666 together.
One Laboratory Analyst has been re-engaged by my Department on a contract basis since retiring under the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement in June 2010. Sanction for this contract was received from the Minister for Finance. The Laboratory Analyst has been re-employed to train veterinary staff to carry out inspections at fish farms. The contract is for a maximum of 70 days and to date has cost my Department €10,803.42. One Assistant Secretary General has been re-engaged by my Department on a part-time contract basis since retiring under the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement in October 2010. Sanction for this contract was received from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The cost to my Department to date is €117,246.37. This contract is due to expire in October 2012. One Superintending Senior Research Officer, two Senior Research Officers, and one Superintending Veterinary Inspector are also re-engaged on a contract for services basis for a limited period. In addition, there are approximately 60 retired Veterinary Inspectors who are available for roster for meat inspection duties, as and when required, on a contract for services basis. Normal pension abatement rules apply in these cases. In relation to the semi-State Bodies under my Department's aegis, the query should be addressed to the State Bodies themselves.