Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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291. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when an employee transfers within a public sector organisation to take up a new post, if he or she is subject to the new entrant public service terms in the new role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14841/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the pension arrangements, in particular the occupational pension scheme membership, of persons working in the public service.

As provided for in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, the Single Public Service Pension Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service. It also applies to former pensionable public servants returning to public service employment after a break of more than 26 weeks, as well as to all former non-pensionable public servants returning to public service employment regardless of how short the break in employment.

Public servants recruited over the past four years, that is to say since the Single Scheme's launch at the beginning of 2013, are mostly members of the Single Scheme. Where such a public servant transfers within their public service organisation to take up a new post then they will continue to be a member of the Single Scheme.

Public servants recruited before 2013 are generally members of sector-specific or body-specific "pre-existing" public service pension schemes, which normally deliver final salary-based retirement benefits. Where such a public servant transfers within their public service organisation to take up a new post then they will remain members of their particular pre-existing public service pension scheme.