Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

Figures are figures. If one counts the so-called pension levy which all workers, some of whom who do not have a pension entitlement, are paying as a contribution to one's pension the sums are different from the actual contribution to one's pension, which will be 6.5% under the new regime. I have indicated to them from my perspective that I do not regard the so-called pension levy to be a permanent feature. It was introduced under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act to get us through. I do not think the vast majority of teachers would like people to present it as a permanent contribution to their pension ever more. I made that point to people. Obviously they have strong views on that matter and will articulate them publicly. I will not try to put words in their mouth, they can say what they believe. Objectively the new pension was designed to ensure that new entrants joining the public service, once this measure is enacted, would have a pension at the end. While our demographics are changing, the dependency ratio will alter between now and the middle of the century, one of our obligations is to ensure that people will have a good pension. In the case of teachers, they will be one of the groups least affected by the new scheme because they have a relatively flat trajectory on a career average basis. It is people, whom the Deputy has expressed a great interest in, who entered the public service as executive officers and end up as Secretary's General who will have the biggest negative impact on their pensions. Instead of their pension being determined by their final few years at the top of the pile, it will be determined by a career average. I think that is a much fairer system. When I said it was fair, that is what I meant.

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