Written answers

Wednesday, 16 February 2022

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Public Sector Pensions

Photo of Imelda MunsterImelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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94. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that retired civil servants with qualifying pensions have not yet received the 1% pay increase granted in October 2021 which current civil servants have already received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8536/22]

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, a general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, is provided for on 1 October 2021 in Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement, 2021-2022.

Under the current pension increase policy for pre-existing public service pension schemes, this increase falls to be passed on to those pensions awarded under the pre-existing public service schemes where the salary on which the pension is based does not exceed the salary of serving staff with the same grade and scale point, after the pay increase has been applied. If it qualifies, the pension is eligible for an increase to the extent that this will ensure alignment with the pay of serving staff.

This policy is outlined in detail in my Department’s Circular 10/2021, which is available here: www.gov.ie/en/circular/e3bc7-instruction-on-the-pension-increase-policy-in-the-public-service-until-end-2022/

My officials have checked the position regarding the payment of pension increases related to the 1 October pay increase with the National Shared Services Office (NSSO), which is responsible for the administration of civil service pensions. The NSSO have confirmed that the vast majority of civil service pensions which were eligible for this pension increase have had that increase applied.

In a limited number of cases, it is necessary for the NSSO to manually establish eligibility for a pension increase and calculate the increase due. These cases are currently being reviewed, and where an increase is due, this will be paid, including arrears, as soon as possible.

Comments

Pairic Duffy
Posted on 26 Feb 2022 12:02 pm (Report this comment)

To Whom it may concern.

I am in receipt of a Public service Pension having spent almost 41 years working in an IoT. As of yet 26/02 2022 I have Not received the 1% pension increase referred to in the question above raised by Imelda Munster TD and replied to by Minister Michael McGrath TD
I would like to refer you to a circular letter number 19/2021 from Mr. Colin Menton, Assistant Secretary in Pay and Pensions Division. Dept. of Public Expenditure and Reform as follows;

I am directed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to convey the following instructions to Departments
/ Offices with regard to the application of adjustments to civil service pay in accordance with the Public Service
Agreement “Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2022”.
To: HR Manager / Personnel Officer in each Department and Office

This circular goes on to say the following;

4. Pensions
4.1. Instructions will issue separately on increasing pensions in payment as a result of the pay adjustments due
on 1 July 2021 and 1 October 2021.
4.2. Additional Superannuation Contributions (ASC): The 2020 rates will continue to apply as there have been no
changes to the thresholds for ASC.

When I contacted the NSSO office in December they told me they had Not yet received a Circular from the Dept. to pay this increase. Investigations by me and a retired former colleague, show that the following Retired Public Service Staff have Not yet received the 1% increase either;
Prison Staff, Teachers, Technicians in IoTs, IoT Admin staff, Gardai.

May I respectfully ask has someone made a mistake and only paid Retired Civil Service Staff and Not included Retired Public Service Staff? The Minister's reply refers to Civil Service Pensions. There was distinctions made before that we were Public Service staff NOT Civil Service.

Most sincerely yours

Páiric Duffy

My contact details are contained in my Login

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