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

434. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the most up to date estimate of the accrued public sector pension liabilities facing the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13630/14]

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

435. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is now planned to revise, on a three year basis the estimate of the accrued public sector pension liabilities facing the State in line with the recommendation in the Comptroller and Auditor General report of 2009; when the next estimate of the accrued public sector pension liability will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13631/14]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together.

As I have said previously my Department considers that the regular preparation and publication of actuarial assessments of public service pension provision is an important part of policy formation. The most recent C&AG actuarial exercise on the cost of public sector occupational pensions showed the accrued liability to have been €116bn as of December 2009. The work by my Department on updating this figure is nearing conclusion. This will estimate the position as of December 2012 and will take into account the relevant changes in public service pay and pensions in recent years. 

Under EU regulations the CSO will be required to compile a table showing the liabilities of Irish pension schemes as part of the National Accounts. This table will include estimates of the liabilities of all unfunded and funded pension schemes including the liability for public service schemes. Transmission of the table to Eurostat will be mandatory from 2017, based on a reference year 2015 and at 3-yearly intervals from that date.