Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views regarding pensions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3855/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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A number of reforms have been introduced in relation to the pension entitlements of TDs and Ministers. The Deputy will be aware that the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 provided that pensions would not be payable to new Oireachtas members before 65 years of age, and under the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act 2009 ministerial pensions are no longer payable to sitting Members of the Oireachtas following last year's elections, or to Members of the European Parliament following the next elections to the Parliament. The pensions of TDs and Ministers retiring after February 2012 will be reduced in line with the substantial pay reductions applied under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts. Furthermore, the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011, currently before the Dáil, provides for a minimum pension age of 66, rising in line with the Social Welfare pension age, to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028; and will apply to Oireachtas Members who are members of the new single scheme.