The vast majority of staff availing of the Shorter Working Year Scheme are not replaced during their absence. In the last two years, my Department appointed 53 temporary staff on short term contracts as a consequence of staff availing of the scheme. None of these individuals were retired public servants.
It should be noted that on occasion, retired public servants may be engaged mainly on a short term basis because of their particular knowledge and expertise in a particular area, for example, to serve on interview boards, complete investigations, etc.