Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Minister for Finance the arrangements in place to allow certain persons within the public service to obtain additional years towards their pension rights; if these arrangements are available equally to all public servants or if there are individual schemes in different workplaces; the way he can ensure that opportunities are made available fairly on an adequate basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41821/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are various arrangements in operation throughout the Civil and Public Services which can provide added years for superannuation purposes.

Professional Added Years Schemes - these schemes apply to certain professional, technical and specialist posts in both the Civil and Public Service. They provide for the granting of added years in certain cases where the minimum essential requirements of a competition are such that they would prohibit a candidate from entering in sufficient time to acquire maximum service for maximum superannuation benefits. In addition, there is a specific provision within the Local Government superannuation arrangements to award professional added years to officers employed in certain specified professional grades.

Added years may be granted to employees in the Civil and Public Service who retire on the grounds of ill health.

Section 6 of the Superannuation Act 1909 and Sections 6 and 7 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act 1963 set out rules governing the early retirement of Civil Servants as a result of abolition of office or for the purpose of facilitating improvements in order to effect greater efficiency and economy in the organisation of a Department. Section 6 of the 1963 Act provides for the granting of added years. (These provisions may apply to Secretaries General at the end of their contracts; similar provisions apply to County Managers under the Local Government Superannuation Scheme). In the wider Public Service these provisions serve as guidelines in dealing with similar cases.

Chief Executive Officers of Non-Commercial State Sponsored Bodies may be granted added years at the end of their contract, subject to certain conditions.

Purchase of Notional Service Scheme -- this scheme permits an individual who will not have sufficient service for maximum superannuation benefits at normal preserved pension age to purchase additional years of service at full actuarial cost to the individual and is available in both the Civil and Public Service.