Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy said, she is referring to delay in addressing taxes due on retirement and anomalies in deductions of various pension contributions. A review in relation to Ministers who may have been impacted regarding contributions and additional superannuation contributions, ASCs, has been completed. Those identified are being contacted and engagement is ongoing. I understand from the National Shared Services Office, NSSO, that many recoupment plans are now in place. A review of retirees liable for chargeable excess tax and withholding tax is nearing completion and the NSSO has been in contact with individuals impacted. That work is progressing.

My Department and the NSSO have put new measures and controls in place to ensure these matters do not reoccur. Additionally, I have asked the chair of the NSSO advisory board to commission forthwith an external audit for the board and my Department of the systems and processes in the NSSO for fulfilling its role and responsibilities. The terms of reference have been finalised in consultation with me and my Department. The clear evidence of errors which has recently come to light emphasises the need to validate and provide reassurance regarding whether the NSSO is carrying out its functions in full compliance with public policy and statutory requirements. My Department is actively engaging with the chair to get this external audit up and running as a matter of urgency.

Work is ongoing with the Office of Government Procurement on a supplementary request for tender, which is expected to issue to the relevant framework members this week, ending 18 July 2025. The procurement process will involve clarification questions to be received within 21 days, with 30 days for tenders to be submitted. Work will commence following the relevant evaluation and contract negotiation process. I expect this external audit to be expedited with all due speed and to be completed as soon as practically possible. The external audit will be submitted to the chair of the board and my Department. Following that audit, I will brief the Government on the findings as soon as they are available.

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