Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason part-time firemen, who are not in receipt of a State pension, are subject to the pension levy. [11840/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am taking the reference to a State pension as being to a public service pension. Retained firefighters are subject to the pension-related deduction as they are entitled to join the Local Government Superannuation Scheme and receive a pension and lump sum from a local authority. Those who do not take that option receive a non-contributory retirement gratuity arrangement. Under the Act, retained firefighters are, therefore, subject to the deduction.

However, the Deputy will be aware that I undertook during the Dáil debate on the deduction to have the case of the retained firefighters examined to see if there are exceptional circumstances with regard to this group of public servants. That examination is in progress.