Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, I have overall policy responsibility in respect of public service occupational pension schemes payable to retired public servants.

For all new entrants to the public service on or after 6 April 1995 and before 1 January 2013, pension payment comprises three components: a public service occupational pension payable by the public service employer; social insurance benefits payable by the Department of Social Protection; and, where the full rate of the State pension contribution is not payable, a supplementary pension equivalent to a non-integrated pension, which is payable by the public service employer.

Where the public servant does not qualify for the State pension contribution or qualifies for a social insurance benefit at less than the value of the State pension contribution, he or she may be entitled to a supplementary pension, subject to eligibility criteria. Those criteria include whether the retired public servant is in paid employment; whether the retired public servant, due to no fault of his or her own, fails to qualify for social insurance benefits or qualifies for a benefit at less than the value of the State pension contribution; and the retired public servant must have reached the minimum pension age or retired on grounds of ill-health. The second condition is important to ensure no duplication of payments from public funds.

My Department is aware that there are some issues concerning the procedures for qualifying for the payment of an occupational supplementary pension and we have liaised with the Department of Justice on these matters. My officials are currently reviewing the processes involved to establish if there is a more efficient and streamlined approach to the procedures because we appreciate the importance of the issues being raised. However, reducing the administrative burden is likely to include a technological solution that will require some time to agree and implement.

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