204 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of retired civil or public servants who returned to work in their Departments or semi-State agencies on a short-term or consultancy basis in 2011; the cost to the Exchequer of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2467/12]

Data for the wider Civil and Public Service for retirees re-engaged on a short-term basis is not held centrally. In the time allowed, it has not been possible to collate the information requested. However, as soon as the information for the bodies under my aegis has been collated, it will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.

205 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to end the practice of civil or public servants who took the early retirement package under the Croke Park agreement returning to work in their previous Departments on a short-term or consultancy basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2468/12]

There is no prohibition on civil or public servants who have retired under normal circumstances from applying for a publicly advertised public service post for which they are suitably qualified. However, restrictions on further public service appointments apply to staff who opted for early retirement under the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 (applying to Civil Service) and the Department of Health Circular 7/2010 of 1 November 2010 (applying to the Health Service Executive). From time to time, retired public servants are engaged by Departments for specific tasks or assignments. Such engagements are normally remunerated on a fee basis and provision exists for fees to be abated, where appropriate, by reference to pension payments.