Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a person who is approaching retirement within the public sector and is a number of years short of a full pension under the public sector pension scheme can make a lump sum payment to buy pension years under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27440/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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There is a purchase of notional service scheme in operation throughout the Civil/Public Service which, subject to certain conditions, provides an opportunity for employees to purchase additional service where their service at minimum or maximum retirement age, as appropriate, will fall short of the maximum service required for maximum superannuation benefits.

Service may be purchased either by periodic contributions deducted from salary, or by lump sum payments. An option to purchase by periodic contributions may only be exercised where there is at least 2 years between the date of commencement of the purchase agreement and the relevant retirement age by reference to which the agreement is entered into. Where a person is within 2 years of the relevant retirement age a periodic option is not available - service may only be purchased by lump sum. A lump sum purchase option may be exercised at any time, subject to one such option generally per annum.

While overall policy for the scheme is the responsibility of my Department, the day-to-day administration of the scheme is a matter for each Department/Public Service body in respect of their own employees. Consequently, anyone wishing to purchase service must apply to their own Personnel Section.