Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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338. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding pensions for retired Gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26836/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy raises the application of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) in those cases where public service pensioners are in receipt of both an occupational and State Pension. In this connection I would point out that as the statutory PRSI related State Pension is not paid by the employer it does not qualify as PAYE remuneration under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts. Any adjustment to existing PSPR rates and bands beyond the existing €12,000 exemption threshold, with a view to accommodating cases in which the public service pension is co-ordinated or integrated with the State Pension, would be complex and could not be guaranteed to produce equitable outcomes in all cases. The majority of public servants with integrated pensions are in receipt of small occupational pensions and so are not impacted by the PSPR measure to any significant degree. In relation to the matter of the PSPR and commercial state bodies, I would point out that the PSPR does not apply to the pensions of persons retired from such bodies as these are not part of the public service and their staff do not enjoy membership of public service pension schemes. The bodies in question have a commercial remit and their pay and pensions are not funded by the Exchequer. I understand the concerns outlined by various representatives about the impact of pension reductions on the lives of public service pensioners but given current economic circumstances the Government must take steps to ensure the economic survival of the State and this impacts across society. The Deputy may be aware I met recently with representatives of the Alliance of Retired Public Servants and indicated that it is my intention, as a matter of priority, to move towards reducing the burden of the PSPR, (with the initial focus on people in receipt of low pensions) at the earliest date economic progress permits. I appreciate that this is a matter of great importance to pensioners and I would envisage that developments in this regard would be the subject of ongoing bilateral discussions between my Department and Alliance representatives.