Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Finance when Office of Public Works pensioners will receive the increase in their pensions which has been outstanding for a considerable period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6117/07]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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Pensions payments for non-established (industrial) staff are made by the Pay Master General's Office in line with general pay increases, based on data provided by individual Departments and Offices. The vast majority of the c. 1,600 Office of Public Works staff concerned (i.e. c. 94%) have already had their pensions revised in line with the latest pay increase awarded to the State industrial sector, effective from the 1st of June 2006. It is anticipated that data for all remaining staff will be furnished to the Pay Master General's Office by late March 2007. Due to the nature of the pension scheme, all of the pensions for industrial staff have to be calculated manually and on an individual basis. This is complicated and time consuming work involving inter alia, inclusion of calculations on items as diverse as clothing allowances, housing emoluments and overtime. The work is being done as quickly as resources, including overtime utilisation, permits.

The next set of pay increases and consequent pension revisions, due from the 1st of December 2006, is contingent on the outcome of the verification process for State industrial employments, which at present is being considered by the Civil Service Performance Verification Group.