Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I would advise the Deputy that the pension benefits in this case are subject to the pensions benefit cap under section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. The benefit cap imposes a limit on the total amount of pensionable service which can be taken into account when calculating the pension entitlements of a person who has been a member of more than one public service pension scheme. The civil servant in this case had prior service in the Permanent Defence Force.

In line with my Department’s interim guidance on the benefit cap, on retirement in July 2020, the individual’s civil service pension benefits were calculated and paid based on service up until 28 July 2012.

Following issue of the new benefit cap Circular (13/2020) in September 2020, the National Shared Services Office (NSSO), which administers the civil service pension scheme, sought the necessary detailed information on the prior Defence Force pension to enable the definitive application of the benefit cap to be done in this case, and the appropriate revision made to the civil service pension.

I understand that the necessary information has now been obtained and the process of applying the benefit cap will be finalised very shortly. The individual will be advised accordingly. The NSSO have been requested to ensure that there are no further delays in cases such as these.