The application from the person concerned to retire on grounds of ill health from his position as a civilian Storekeeper Clerk Grade II with the Defence Forces was accepted by my Department with effect from 22 January 2006. On 1 March 2006 the Minister for Finance approved the award of an ill health retirement pension and lump sum to the person concerned and he received an interim lump sum payment on 15 March 2006. The balance due issued on 12 May 2006. The Office of the Paymaster General, which acts as the paying agent for this Department in the payment of pensions, is arranging for the payment of pension to the person concerned.
The sick pay arrangements for civilian employees of my Department applied to this person during his period of service as a civilian employee with the Defence Forces. In general, civilian employees may be granted up to six months sick leave at full pay in any period of 12 months and half pay thereafter subject to a maximum of 12 months sick leave of any kind (full pay, half pay or without pay) in any period of four years or less. I understand that this person exhausted his entitlement to such paid sick leave on 1 November 2005. There are no arrears of pay due to the person concerned.