Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This Vote looks after the Civil Service. I do not think it looks after the politicians, thankfully. Pension and lump sum arrangements in all of the other principal areas, including education, health and the local authorities, are determined in the Votes of the relevant Departments. If a raft of additional pension costs arose in a specific sector in the manner suggested by the Deputy, it would be reflected in the relevant subhead.

I can only take responsibility for the pension arrangements of civil servants, for which the Department got the figures wrong. The estimated figure was 5% short of the actual figure. However, there are mitigating circumstances this year which any fair-minded person would accept. The 5% difference between the estimated and actual figures is explained by the number of civil servants who have exited the service. Civil servants were able to retire under a unique arrangement this year. Furthermore, individuals who do not like the measures to be introduced in next week's budget may leave the Civil Service and continue to be paid, provided they are aged 60 years or over. While I accept the original Estimate fell short by 5%, I will allow Deputies to judge the matter in the light of the circumstances involved.