Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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969. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that firemen are entitled to a gratuity payment and not a pension, the reason a pension levy has been deducted from their earnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41731/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 states that any public servant who is a member of a public service pension scheme, is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme, or receives a payment in lieu of membership in such a scheme, is subject to a deduction from their remuneration. In 2008, retained firefighters were given the option of joining the Local Government Superannuation Scheme (LGSS).  Retained firefighters who opted not to join the scheme receive, on retirement, a gratuity of 1/8 th of the annual retainer multiplied by the number of years of actual service (up to a maximum of four times the annual retainer).  This is a payment in lieu of membership of a pension scheme, and as such retained firefighters are subject to the deduction outlined in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009.