John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 829: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that part-time fire-fighters employed by local authorities are being asked to contribute to the pension levy in view of the fact that they are not entitled to claim a pension when they retire; his views on whether these employees should be exempt from the levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10831/09]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 831: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if part-time firemen who do not receive a statutory pension on retirement should be subjected to the pension levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10940/09]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 836: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if reserve firefighters and certain other public service employees are contributing to the Government's pension levy; if they are entitled to draw the public service pension on retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12051/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 829, 831 and 836 together.

The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 states that any public servant who is a member of a public service pension scheme, is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme, or receives a payment in lieu of membership in such a scheme, is subject to a deduction from their remuneration.

In 2008, retained firefighters were given the option of joining the Local Government Superannuation Scheme (LGSS). Retained firefighters who opted not to join the scheme receive, on retirement, a gratuity of 1/8th of the annual retainer multiplied by the number of years of actual service (up to a maximum of four times the annual retainer). This is a payment in lieu of membership of a pension scheme, and as such retained firefighters are subject to the deduction outlined in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009.