Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am asking for a review because there is an anomaly in respect of the Defence Forces. From 1995, commissioned officers of the Defence Forces have paid a PRSI class-A contribution, and their pensions are fully integrated with the social welfare system. They were eligible for a supplementary pension, provided by the agreement in 2009, CCR 421, because they reached retirement age at 56. This age went up to 58 and there is a gap before the individuals concerned get their State pension. The implication, where the agreement is no longer in place, is that a new entrant to the Defence Forces - from 1 January 2013 - who is mandatorily retired at 58 or 60 would have a final benefit less than the value of the State contributory pension. New-entrant Defence Forces officers will be at a loss of approximately €12,390 until they reach the age of retirement, at 66. This is to increase to 68.

The Department of Defence acknowledged in 2009 that the compulsory retirement age set the individuals concerned apart from those in other areas of the public service. There is an anomaly whereby the agreement is no longer recognised. There is a gap between mandatory retirement at 58 and the age of 66. The affected officers are actually getting less than what officers who joined before them are getting.

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