Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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367. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on reversing the levy on public sector pensions that was in place since March 2012; if this is an issue he will be discussing with the public sector unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21307/15]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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395. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the impact of the public service stability agreement on public sector pensions in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22410/15]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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396. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if representatives of public sector pensioners were consulted during the public service stability agreement process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22411/15]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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404. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the recently concluded Lansdowne Road agreement negotiations, when it is envisaged that legislation will be prepared and introduced to reverse the measures of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts on public sector pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22510/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 367, 395, 396 and 404 together.

It is understood that the measure to which the Deputy's question refers is the Public Service Pension Reduction.

The Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR), commencing 1 January 2011, imposed reductions on annual public service pensions in payment in excess of €12,000, using a progressively tiered set of bands and rates with a top rate of 12% on any public service pension amount over €60,000. The legislation was amended from 1 January 2012 to increase the top rate of PSPR from 12% to 20% on the portion of any public service pension amount in excess of €100,000. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013 also provided for additional Public Service Pension Reduction rates ranging from 2% to 8% to be applied to all annual public service pensions in payment in excess of €32,500 from 1 July 2013. Full-year savings from these pension measures is currently in excess of €125 million.

There were no discussions with the public service unions regarding the application of the PSPR. However, in relation to the impact of PSPR on the income of public service pensioners I met with representatives of retired public service pensioners in May 2013 and indicated at that time that it was my intention as a matter of priority to move towards reducing the burden of public service pension reductions, with the initial focus on the people in receipt of low pensions, at the earliest date economic progress permits. I also met with the representatives of the Alliance of Retired Public Servants in March last and further meetings have been held between the Association and my officials regarding issues raised in a detailed presentation and submission made by the Alliance in recent weeks.

Following the recently announced proposals formulated by the Labour Relations Commission in relation to the Lansdowne Road Agreement I indicated it is my intention to begin the orderly restoration of public service pension reductions made in recent years. In line with my stated commitments I will be bringing detailed proposals to Government shortly for approval providing for a reduction in the impact of the PSPR on public service pensions.