Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

193. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps his Department will take to abolish the pension levy on public sector workers; and if he will discuss this with public sector workers' unions. [18241/15]

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

It is understood that the Deputy's question refers to the public service Pension-Related Deduction (PRD), which applies to the pay of pensionable public servants.  PRD was introduced in March 2009 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest  (FEMPI) Act 2009. It continues to provide very important revenue to the State, and as such remains a key constituent of the suite of financial emergency measures affecting public service pay and pensions which have been adopted under the FEMPI legislation between 2009 and 2013 in response to the financial crisis.

At my invitation, discussions begin today between officials of my Department and the Public Services Committee of ICTU on an approach to commencing the gradual unwinding of the FEMPI legislation.  The PRD falls to be considered in that context.