Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 287: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if section 51 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011, as presently drafted, will have implications for current public service pensioners who may also be currently employed by a public service body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41427/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Section 51 of the Bill, as is made clear by the title of Chapter 4 of the Bill in which it appears, applies to all public service pension schemes. The section provides for abatement and for a public service-wide 'cap' of forty years pensionable service. These are standard public service pension provisions in individual schemes but may not, at present, always consistently apply on an aggregate basis with respect to different public service schemes. The provision will address this aspect.

Abatement means that where a pension is payable by a public service body to a public service pensioner and the pensioner receives subsequent remuneration from any public service body, then during this time no more of the pension shall be paid than so much as, with that remuneration, equals the pensionable remuneration which the pensioner would have received if he or she had continued working in the position which he or she served in the public service. The Minister may waive the abatement provision if persons with particular training and experience are required for particular work in the public service body concerned and it is not practicable to meet that requirement otherwise than by the employment of the pensioner.

The 'forty year rule' will, in future, be applied in calculating all pensions or lump sums payable under any public service schemes. This will provide a cap on the qualifying pensionable service across the public service, subject to a person who has already accrued more than 40 years service in different public service schemes keeping what they had at the time the Act is passed.

Questions Nos. 288 and 289 answered with Question No. 274.