Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the annual cost of the pension and all other entitlements available to each retired President still living in this country. [27819/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Under the Presidential Establishment (Amendment) Act, 1973, the personal salary of the President is set at the rate paid to the Chief Justice plus ten per cent. In accordance with the Act, the salary of the current President is €325,507 p.a. I acknowledge that notwithstanding the Constitutional protection afforded to the emoluments and allowances of the President while in Office, the current President has voluntarily waived sums due in respect of her entitlements under the legislation. Under the current legislative arrangements, the President of Ireland is entitled to a full pension of half pay on leaving office.

The Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011 has been published. It proposes a career-averaged rather than final salary pension for a President who is a member of the new Single Scheme. The pension that such a President may accrue will also be subject to a cap of 50% of the pay of the Office, to cater for a two-term President. In addition, the Bill provides that abatement will apply for a public service pensioner who takes up a public service position, including the Presidency. Finally, it provides for a reduction in the pay of the new President to €249,014, which will reduce future pension entitlements.

A retired President would be provided with transport on State occasions.

There is only one living retired President. The residency of a retired President is not taken into account by the Paymaster General when issuing payments.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the changes that are due to be implemented for public sector pensions; the implications if a person retires before end February 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27830/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 provided for a period within which pensions are unaffected by the pay cuts introduced in that Act. This 'grace period' was due to expire by the end of 2010 however it was extended to 29 February 2012 to avoid too large a number of public service retirements in 2011 and to spread the extra pension lump sum costs over a more manageable period in both 2011 and 2012. It should be noted that pensions in payment or which come into payment before the end of the 'grace period' are subject to the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) introduced in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2010. Pensions coming into payment after that date, which will be affected by the pay cuts, will not be subject to the PSPR.

Also, in July this year a 3 month minimum notice period for retirement was introduced for the public service. The purpose of this minimum notice period is to protect services by giving management information about the number of staff retiring in a particular area and to assist in planning how best to maintain services.