Written answers

Wednesday, 13 December 2006

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Pensions

10:00 pm

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will confirm that of the 9,727 persons in receipt of pensions under the Defence Forces pensions schemes approximately 3,630 of these are pre August 1990 pensioners who do not qualify for the MSA in their pension as a different figure for this category is in circulation among former military personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43076/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in my reply to Dáil Question No. 271 on 23 November 2006, Military Service Allowance (MSA) was made pensionable in the case of Defence Forces personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990 on foot of a recommendation made by the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces (the Gleeson Commission). This approach was fully consistent with settled public service pensions policy which provides that the benefit of an allowance being made pensionable for serving personnel does not extend to existing pensioners and there is no scope for departing from this policy in the case of MSA.

I can confirm that, of the 9,727 persons in receipt of pensions under the Defence Forces Pensions Schemes, approximately 3,630 are pre-August, 1990 pensioners who do not qualify for MSA in their pension. It is estimated that about 50% of this latter number retired (or died) while in receipt of the MSA as serving members of the Defence Forces, i.e. between 1 May 1979 (when the allowance was first introduced) and 1 August 1990 (the commencement date of the MSA being made pensionable).

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