562. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of retired civil and public servants that have been rehired on temporary contracts or as consultants under his remit; if he will provide a breakdown of those figures in tabular form, providing associated costs of such rehiring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30555/14]

Retired public and civil servants are engaged from time to time by my Department in areas where specific expertise is required for a short fixed period and these staff provide a level of knowledge, experience and background compatible with such requirements.

The abatement principle, which ensures that the fee or salary paid plus pension does not exceed the rate of pay the pensioner would receive if he/she had continued service in their former post, applies to payments as appropriate.

The information requested in respect of rehired civil and public servants, and associated salary costs, in my Department since March 2011 is set out in the table below:

In addition to the above, a number of retired public and civil servants carry out work for my Department from time to time on a pro bono basis.