Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1035: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will address the two GSRMA proposals towards bringing closure to their pensionability issue in view of the fact that the number of members and widows involved pre 1982 are aged and fast dwindling and in respect of pre 1993 retirees who have been precluded from the pensionability of unsocial hours allowances where the proposal for closure would cost a mere fraction of the full cost of pensionability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20566/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Garda superannuation benefits are paid in accordance with the Garda Síochána Pensions Orders and Agreed Reports of the Garda Conciliation Council. The Government decided in September 2001 to accept the thrust of the package of reforms recommended by the Commission on Public Service Pensions and to establish a Working Group to advise on implementation, as provided for in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Parallel structures with the same remit were established in the case of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The operational details of the implementation of the Commission recommendations have been agreed by Government following receipt of a report from the Implementation Working Group and a report from Garda Parallel Working Group.

The Commission considered the issue of parity of pensions for members of An Garda Síochána who retired prior to 1993 (who do not receive the unsocial allowance element in their pensions) and for those who retired prior to 1982 (who do not receive rent and other allowance elements in their pensions). The Commission also examined the specific issue of the pensionability of allowances for members of An Garda Síochána and others, as part of its deliberations, but having assessed the arguments, did not recommend any increase in pension for the groups involved.

Having regard to the Commission's report, I have no plans to initiate a further review on the matter.