Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will exempt medical card holders from payment of the pension levy under section 8 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8417/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The approach to this deduction is that it applies generally given the fact that all public servants enjoy the benefits of a public service pension which provides for greater security and more favourable terms than the generality of private sector pensions.

It would be inappropriate to exempt public servants in receipt of a medical card from this deduction, which is to apply on a wide base and across the board.

The purpose of a medical card is to ensure that people with a medical need have access to health care without undue financial hardship. The HSE guidelines for determining eligibility for a medical card allow for the application of discretion over and above the income guidelines and allowances under that scheme in cases of individual hardship. Therefore, the conditions for determining eligibility under the medical card scheme should ensure that payment of this deduction will not result in low income public servants being denied access to essential health services.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Finance the total amount paid by public servants in superannuation and pension contributions in 2007. [8438/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Finance has statutory responsibility for civil service pensions. Statutory responsibility for public service pension schemes outside the civil service rests in the first instance with the relevant Ministers in other Departments, as appropriate.

The information sought by the Deputy in respect of the civil service is available in the Audited Appropriation Accounts 2007.

The total amount of pension contributions paid by civil servants in 2007 was €42,044,158, including contributions to the Main Scheme and the Spouses' and Children's Scheme.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Finance if retained firefighters are required to pay the pension levy when not participating in a pension scheme but in receipt of a retirement bonus. [8459/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Retained firefighters are subject to the pension-related deduction as they are entitled to join the Local Government Superannuation Scheme, and those who do not take that option are covered by a non-contributory retirement gratuity arrangement. While they are not exempted from the deduction, I did undertake during the Dáil debate on the deduction to have their case examined to see if there are exceptional circumstances with regard to this group of public servants.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Finance the way the retirement package of a person (details supplied) was arrived at; the reason such a large lump sum was agreed to when they were in receipt of a generous pension; his views on whether this is fair and equitable in the current climate and in view of their performance in the position from which they retired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8486/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the provisions of the Central Bank Act 1942 (as amended), the Chief Executive of the Regulatory Authority is appointed by the other members of the Authority and holds office on conditions of employment as are initially specified, or are later agreed, between the Chief Executive and the other members of the Authority.

The Regulatory Authority has informed me that pension benefits to the former Chief Executive are payable in accordance with the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Superannuation Scheme. This Scheme has terms and conditions which allow, in certain circumstances, for the payment of full pension benefits in cases where less than 40 years service is accrued.

I am informed that the former Chief Executive of the Regulatory Authority had two years remaining on his contract. I am also informed that, having regard to independent legal advice and his exclusive availability to the Authority for a period of three months, the Authority agreed to the payment of an additional €151,500, equivalent to six months' remuneration, plus an additional two months' salary, to the former Chief Executive.