Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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59. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason an overpayment occurred in relation to a pension and gratuity in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48502/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It would not be appropriate for me to comment publicly on the details of individual pensions cases.

Pensions overpayment cases are unusual but do sometimes arise where a case is particularly complex. Where the collation of relevant data has not been completed before an individual retires, every effort is made to ensure that the retiree is not left out of pocket, even if this may mean that an overpayment may need to be recouped in the future.  

The payment of public service pensions is governed by well-established rules set out in published circulars and relevant legislation, including the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012. Section 52 of that Act is particularly important. It specifies that, with effect from 28 July 2012, any Civil or Public Servant who has the equivalent of 40 years service or more cannot accrue any further reckonable service from that date.