Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 518: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the percentage that the salary and pensions of serving judges has decreased since 1 January 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32303/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is responsible for policy in relation to both salary and pensions payable to the judiciary.

As I informed the Deputy in my reply to Question 520 on 19 June 2012, the two Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009 which reduced the pay of public servants were applied by the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Act 2011 to the salaries of judges with effect from 1 January 2012. The effect of the percentage pay reduction and the percentage pension levy deduction applied is set out in the table below. In addition, there is a consequential reduction in pensions payable as this is calculated based on the reduced gross pay rate.

*It should be noted that the current Chief Justice opted to remain on her existing salary as a Supreme Court judge and did not avail of the higher salary applicable to the office of Chief Justice from 25 July 2011 to 31 December 2011.