Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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104. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the clarifications requested in correspondence (details supplied); regarding TD's and Senators pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18320/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I refer to the previous PQ No. 248 answered on 8 of April 2014.

I understand the information in relation to the Oireachtas pensions of the individuals concerned, which are paid separately, has been provided to you by Houses of the Oireachtas Commission.

As a matter of policy, waivers of pay or pension by serving or former public servants, including former officeholders, are not disclosed.

In respect of the pension entitlements of former Officeholders (including Former Ministers), it is the policy of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in any instance where such a pension is the subject of a Pension Adjustment order (PAO) under the Family Law Acts, not to make public the actual amount of pension in payment to the former Officeholder. Instead, and where required, the amount of pension before application of the PAO is made public. This approach to pension reporting reflects the considered position of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, taking into account, in particular, due sensitivity concerning personal information in the Family Law area. There is no concealment of information by individual former Officeholders in the context of a pension adjustment order.