An MP's question has alerted the authorities to a former Air Malta worker who took early retirement money from the airline and then found a job with the government.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo yesterday publicly thanked Opposition MP Charlò Bonnici who, through a parliamentary question, had brought to light the administrative slip-up.

Mr Bonnici had asked if any persons who had availed themselves of early retirement or similar schemes at Air Malta were working in Mr Bartolo’s ministry.

Mr Bartolo said three former Air Malta employees were working in his ministry, one at the Foundation for Education Services, another at Malta Libraries and a third at Mcast. The first two had opted for alternative work with the government while the third had taken early retirement.

Mr Bartolo said Mcast was in the process of recouping the sum owed to the government.