Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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101. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is an offence under the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2015 regarding terms and conditions of employment on the ground of disability to oblige disabled civil servants be members of the 1984 spouses and children's superannuation scheme, in view of the fact that some disabled civil servants due to physical disability or psychiatric ill health lack the capacity for marriage either during their career or in their retirement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52089/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Civil Service Spouses’ and Children’s Scheme is a contributory scheme that provides pensions to the spouse and children of members who die in service, or after they have qualified for pension (or preserved pension). Membership is compulsory for male established civil servants appointed on or after 1 January 1969 and female established civil servants appointed on or after 1 June 1981. Officers serving prior to the relevant dates were given options to join. Following discussions with staff interests, a ‘revised’ scheme was introduced in 1984 which provides for a wider range of beneficiaries. The revised scheme was compulsory for all civil servants joining after 1 September 1984, while serving staff, including those who were members of the original scheme, had the option to join.

I agree with the finding of the Commission on Public Service Pensions (2000) that public service spouses’ and children’s schemes are structured on a group insurance basis and that member contribution rates take account of the fact that payment of benefits will not arise in respect of all members.

I am satisfied that the Civil Service Spouses' and Children's Contributory Pension Scheme meets the requirements of the Employment Equality Acts, 1998 – 2015 in relation to all of the grounds of discrimination set out in the legislation, including on grounds of disability.