James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

186. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration will be given to matching Garda pension rates to social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5111/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand the question relates to whether I would consider giving approval to passing on to Garda pensions the same rate of pension increases as are granted to the State Pension.

The Deputy will appreciate that my responsibility extends to the civil and public service occupational pension schemes. The Social Welfare State pension is separate to occupational pension benefits, and falls under the remit of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

However, I would advise the Deputy that the Government have approved a pension increase policy for the period to end-2020 as part of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (PSSA), to apply to pre-existing public service pension schemes, including the Garda Síochána Superannuation Scheme. The principle of pay parity underlies this pension increase policy. This means that the pay increases agreed as part of the PSSA and legislated for in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, are passed on to pension recipients to bring the salary on which their pension is based up to the current salary rate of those still serving, after the pay increases have been applied to serving staff. Pension recipients qualify to receive an increase if the salary on which their pension is based is lower than the current salary rate of those still serving in the same grade and on the same scale point.

If the Deputy has any questions regarding the detailed application of the pension increase policy to Garda pensions, he should address the query to my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

187. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a person in receipt of a pension under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 is in a position to benefit from the public service stability agreement; if pensions in payment under this scheme are subject to increases in line with relative salaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5425/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government have approved public service pension increases under the pension increase policy adopted for the period to end-2020 as part of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (PSSA) . The principle of pay parity underlies this pension increase policy. This means that the pay increases agreed as part of the PSSA, and legislated for in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, are passed on to pension recipients to bring the salary on which their pension is based up to the current salary rate of those still serving, after the pay increases have been applied to serving staff. Pension recipients qualify to receive an increase if the salary on which their pension is based is lower than the current salary rate of those still serving in the same grade and on the same scale point.

As the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 (LGSS) is a pre-existing public service pension scheme, pensions payable under the scheme are eligible to attract pension increases in accordance with this policy.

The administration of the LGSS falls under the remit of The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and so I would advise the Deputy to direct any questions regarding the practical implementation of the pension increase policy for the LGSS to that Department.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

188. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position on pension abatement deducted from pension lump sums payable to certain retired public servants; the position on tax relief on the abatement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5426/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I assume that the Deputy is referring to any outstanding contributions that may be owing with respect to an individual’s membership of a public service Spouses' and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme, which I understand are deducted from the pension lump sum at point of retirement.

My information is that individuals should qualify for tax relief in respect of such 'abatement' in accordance with the normal provisions applying to pension contributions under the tax code. However, it is a matter for the individual to liaise with the relevant Tax Office in order to recoup any tax refunds due to them, and I understand that the pension administrator will normally provide the relevant documentation to enable this to be done.