Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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83. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has updated or altered the interpretation of pension abatement under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23096/20]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the principle of abatement of a public service pension is longstanding within the rules of various public service pension schemes and pension abatement is an important aspect of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 (the Single Scheme Act).

Section 52(1) to 52(5) of the Single Scheme Act provides for the abatement of a public service pension where a retired public servant, whose pension is in payment, is re-employed in the public service such that no more of the pension when combined with the remuneration in the new job shall exceed the pensionable remuneration of the old job

My Department provides on-going advice and clarifications to public service bodies about the application of abatement rules. In this regard, for example, advice has been provided in relation to longstanding features of abatement such as the application of abatement on a pro-rata and periodic basis (i.e. taking into account work pattern and period of re-employment), and in relation to the method for calculating abatement generally. It is a matter for public service bodies to ensure that pension abatement rules are being applied consistently.

Finally, there is provision in the legislation under Section 52(4) of the Single Scheme Act to grant a waiver of abatement in certain circumstances. Such applications are dealt with on a case by case basis based on the provisions of the Act.

If there is a particular abatement matter that the Deputy would like clarification on, my Department would be happy to provide further information.