Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Retirement benefits for the Defence Forces were designed to align and factor in the payment of the contributory State pension into final benefits. Mandatory retirement ages in the Defence Forces kick in well ahead of eligibility for the contributory State pension, which is currently 66, and, as the Minister of State said, will increase to 70. Before 2013, it was factored in that there was a unique situation within the military in the requirement that they require earlier than other public servants. The Minister of State will be aware that in the Conciliation Council Report, CCR, No. 421, the agreement between the parties noted that the Department of Defence acknowledged that the compulsory early retirement regime applicable to military officers sets their occupation apart from other occupations in the public service, so there is an anomaly. However, the current position is that the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 does not allow for a supplementary pension for those persons who are forced to retire early. There is no bridging gap until they get the State pension and they are at a considerable disadvantage if they come in after 2013. Does the Minister of State not accept that this particular anomaly needs to be addressed?

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