Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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177. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to address uniformity of pension entitlements in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35097/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The occupational pension (superannuation) entitlement of members of the Defence Forces depend on the date the person joins the Defence Forces, and also on their specific circumstances and on many variables including rank, pensionable service and pensionable remuneration.

The main dates of joining that dictate a difference in what pension terms apply are:

- before 1 April 2004,

- after 1 April 2004 but before 1 January 2013,

- after 1 January 2013

For officers in the Defence Forces, there are also differences between the pension terms and benefits of those officers who joined before 6 April 1995 (on ‘modified’ PRSI – Class C) or joined on or after 6 April 1995 (on full PRSI – Class A). For those who join on or after 6 April 1995 and are fully covered for PRSI, their contributions and benefits are subject to integration with the State Pension Contributory.

All superannuation benefits and entitlements under the Defence Forces Superannuation Schemes are governed by the relevant rules, terms and conditions made pursuant to the Defence Forces Pensions Acts 1932 to 2004 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 and other relevant provisions, agreements, arrangements, circulars and/or other instruments, which together comprise the schemes, and are also subject to any other relevant legislation and to public service pensions policy.

The administration and management of Defence Forces superannuation arrangements including the calculation and award of benefits to members and their dependants, is carried out by the Department of Defence. Similar to other public service pension schemes, the superannuation benefits payable to Defence Forces Scheme members and/or their dependants are clearly stated in the rules of the relevant pension scheme. Payment of entitlements can only be made in accordance with these rules.

There are no plans to make any changes to existing pension entitlements of Defence Forces members. Given the many variables involved it is inevitable that there is not uniformity in pension entitlements and that there are many personnel employed on different pension regimes. However, the Defence Forces scheme rules are in keeping with public service pension policy and, in general, follow the same principles that apply across the public service.

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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178. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to address the administrative costs relating to the pensions of veterans who live abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35098/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Army Pensions Vote (Vote 35) provides for retired pay, pensions, compensation, allowances and gratuities payable in respect of members of the Defence Forces and certain other military organisations, etc.

All benefits are governed by the relevant rules, terms and conditions made pursuant to the Defence Forces Pensions Acts 1932 to 2004, the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, the Army Pensions Acts 1923 to 1980 (as amended) and other relevant provisions, agreements, arrangements, circulars and/or other instruments, which together comprise the schemes, and are also subject to any other relevant legislation and to public service pensions policy.

All military pensioners are paid electronically. For those who are living outside the State their pensions are generally paid electronically into financial accounts within this State or within the Single European Payments Area (SEPA). For some who are living outside SEPA, their pensions are paid individually through a Citibank foreign payments facility. The pension recipient bears the monthly cost of this Citibank facility. The payments are made in Euro and all foreign bank charges and foreign exchange risks are borne by the recipients. All obligations regarding the payment of pensions are considered discharged once the payment has been lodged to the relevant account.