Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Eamon Gilmore): The Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently employs five retired civil servants. While it is not
customary to name officials or retired officials I am setting out in the table below the reason,
grade, duration and remuneration details relating to each case:
Nature/Reason Duration in Remuneration Estimated
2012 costs in 2011 remuneration
costs in 2012
Retired Deputy To act as the Tánaiste’s Special 30 weeks €0 €62,449
Secretary
Representative for the South Caucasus
in connection with Ireland’s
Chairmanship of the OSCE, 2012
Retired Assistant To act as Head of Task Force in Full year €78,868 €78,868
Secretary
connection with Ireland’s Chairmanship
of the OSCE, 2012
Retired Assistant To review departmental files prior to 10 Weeks €7,018 €7,018
Secretary
their submission to the National
Archives
Retired Assistant To act as Passport Appeals Officer under Dependant €0 Dependant
Secretary the Passport Act, 2008 on number on number
of cases
of cases
dealt with
dealt with
Retired Development Review of development cooperation 5 days €9,342 €2,133
Specialist
programmes and projects commissioned
by the Department
No other payments of the type described have been sanctioned for retiring officials of my
Department.
133. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if
he will outline on a yearly basis from 2008 to 2015 in respect of staff leaving the public service
in his Department; the cost of lump sums; the cost of severance payments; the cost of pensions
of those leaving the service through retirement or other means; the loss of the pension levy
from employees who have left; the loss of superannuation payments from retired or departed
employees, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8437/12]
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Eamon Gilmore): With regard
to staff of my Department, the calculation and payment of superannuation benefits is a matter
for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Severance payments totalling €316,943.84
were made to former Ministerial Personal Appointees in 2011.
Diplomatic Representation
134. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
if he will give an update on a case (details supplied). [8476/12]
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Eamon Gilmore): As the
Deputy will be aware, my Department has constantly monitored this case and the person
detained has been visited regularly by our Ambassador in New Delhi and by our Honorary
Consul in Colombo. I am advised that this case was heard in the Sri Lankan Supreme Court
on Friday 3rd February 2012 and that the Court was advised that the person detained is to be
indicted in the High Courts of Colombo, Sri Lanka shortly. I am further advised that the next
Fundamental rights hearing will be held on the 19th March 2012. I can assure the Deputy that
my Department will continue to follow developments on the case and also keep the family
fully advised.
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